The Chicago Bears boast one of the NFL’s best defenses, and it’s the very reason why they were able to finish 8-8 despite having one of the league’s worst offenses.
The Bears have some absolute studs on their team. Some well-known and some under-appreciated. While general manager Ryan Pace hasn’t been known for hitting on a ton of offensive talent, he’s taken a bad defense and molded it into one of the league’s best in just four years.
NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks ranked the top defensive quartets in the league. It wasn’t a matter of if the Bears were on the list, it was only a matter of where. Brooks ranked the quartet the third best in the NFL, behind the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers.
- OLB: Khalil Mack
- OLB: Robert Quinn
- LB: Roquan Smith
- S: Eddie Jackson
If the Bears can find a way to make every game a defensive struggle, they could emerge as a dark-horse contender in the NFC. The Mack-Quinn combination should terrorize opponents in the NFC North with the speed (Quinn) and power (Mack) contrast creating problems on the edges. Both defenders have “take over the game” potential with signature moves that make them nearly impossible to block in one-on-one matchups. And Quinn edged out Akiem Hicks, who’s a menace up front for the Bears when he’s healthy.
Smith’s sophomore campaign didn’t measure up to his lofty standards, but he remains one of the top playmakers at his position based on his dazzling flashes. Limited to 12 games because of injury, the explosive sideline-to-sideline defender finished with 100 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. If those numbers rate as a disappointing effort for the third-year pro, it is possible for Smith to reach All-Pro status in 2020 with a more consistent showing for the Bears. Jackson is the instinctive playmaker that every defensive coordinator covets in the middle of the field. He is a turnover machine with elite ball skills and scoop-and-score potential.
With this Bears defense, it’s hard to pick just four players that are playmakers. Looking at that list, immediately you recognize that defensive tackle Akiem Hicks was left off the list. You could also make an argument for cornerback Kyle Fuller, who has made two straight Pro Bowls and led the Bears in interceptions in both of those years.
Heading into a crucial 2020 season, Chicago will be looking for its defensive playmakers to step it up, especially as the offense continues to try to find its footing.
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