Unlike the start of the 2019 season, there weren’t a lot of expectations for the Chicago Bears in 2020. Despite some big offseason additions in edge rusher Robert Quinn, tight end Jimmy Graham and quarterback Nick Foles, it felt like this team was destined for the same mediocrity from the season before.
Which is exactly what Bears fans got.
In many ways, it felt like there were three different seasons of Bears football in 2020. Chicago’s 5-1 start was a surprise to many — but no one believed that this team was a true contender. They proved as much in the second part of their season, when they dropped six straight games, including rock bottom blowing a fourth-quarter lead to the Detroit Lions. In the third part of their season, the Bears rattled off three straight wins to keep their postseason hopes alive only to lose their final two games of the season against the Green Bay Packers (Week 17) and New Orleans Saints (wild-card round).
It’s hard to call a season a disappointment when you make the playoffs — aside from the fact that you didn’t win it all. But, in the Bears case, it was. Especially considering the way they got into the playoffs. An extra wild-card spot. Two losses by the Arizona Cardinals. In many ways, it felt like Chicago didn’t deserve it.
This Bears team underperformed in many areas. The defense once again regressed, the offense was one of the worst in the NFL for most of the season and they only managed to beat one team with a winning record.
While there were some encouraging aspects — Roquan Smith’s comeback year, David Montgomery’s coming out party, the rookie class and the offense scoring 30-plus points in four straight games — it was ultimately another disappointing season that ended in a 8-8 record and an early exit from the playoffs.
How would you grade the 2020 season?
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How would you grade the Bears’ 2020 season?
— BearsWire (@TheBearsWire) January 17, 2021
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