Tag: Khalil Mack

Bears GM Ryan Pace: ‘We’re happy with Leonard (Floyd)’

Bears GM Ryan Pace reinforced his confidence in OLB Leonard Floyd even though the production wasn’t there in 2019.

While the Bears defense as a whole wasn’t a disappointment in 2019, there were some aspects of the unit that regressed following a breakout season in 2018.

One of the biggest disappointments was the Bears’ pass rush — particularly fourth-year edge rusher Leonard Floyd, whose production didn’t live up to the expectations.

During his end-of-the-year press conference, general manager Ryan Pace reinforced his confidence in Floyd, and it doesn’t appear as if the organization is looking to part with him anytime soon. It seems more likely they could actually ink him to a long-term extension.

“We’re happy with Leonard,” Pace said. “I know the stats don’t always say that. Leonard does a lot of things that go a little undervalued. The versatility he provides, things he can do in coverage. Not a lot of outside linebackers that can provide the versatility he provides.

“Would we like more production with him? Yeah. Would he like that? Yeah. There’s a lot of things he does that we like.”

Pace pointed to his high motor and physicality, as well as his strength in playing the run game and in coverage as things he does well. That and his ability to get after the quarterback — he tied a career high for quarterback hits with 12. But he’s struggled converting those into sacks. After starting the season with two sacks against the Packers, Floyd managed just one sack in the final 15 games.

“There’s a lot of times this year he’s so close,” Pace said. “If you look at his pressures, hits in the series, they’re up there. The sack production, not so much.”

But as far as sacks go, it wasn’t just Floyd’s numbers that were down. Chicago’s entire pass rush declined. The Bears had 32 sacks, which 18 less than last season. Khalil Mack had 8.5 sacks, which was four less than the previous year.

The Bears picked up Floyd’s fifth-year option, but Pace wouldn’t get into discussions just a couple days after the season ended.

“As for his contract, we’re never going to get into those things,” Pace said. “We like Leonard, glad he’s here. Like a lot of players, does he want to play better? Yeah. Can he play better? Yeah. We’ll see going forward.”

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Bears defense the reason Chicago should be optimistic heading into 2020

When grasping for any sort of optimism, the Bears should feel optimistic about their defense heading into 2020.

Contrary to last season, there’s not much optimism facing the Chicago Bears as they head into an important offseason. There certainly won’t be an offseason filled with lofty Super Bowl expectations that will ultimately fall short.

Instead, the Bears are left to fix what went wrong in a disappointing 2019 season, especially on the offensive side of the ball. There’s less to correct on defense, which will be entering its second year under defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano.

But when grasping for any sort of optimism, Bleacher Report believes that the Bears should feel optimistic about their defense heading into 2020.

The Chicago Bears haven’t tallied as many sacks and turnovers as they did last year, but they still boast a top-10 defense in both points and yards allowed. In a league with quarterbacks freely moving the ball through the air, that’s a notable positive.

Although the Bears struggled against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16, giving up 350 yards and 26 points, they have held nine of their opponents to fewer than 21 points this season. They’ve gone 6-3 in those contests, which could be even better with an improved offense.

While the Bears were a disappointment in 2019, it wasn’t due to their defense. Chicago’s defense finished the season allowing the fourth fewest points in the NFL. The one area they struggled to find success was in forcing turnovers — they had 19 in 2019 compared to 36 in 2018 — which will surely be a focus this offseason.

But the Bears will return a cast of players that includes star pass rusher Khalil Mack, defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, linebacker Roquan Smith, safety Eddie Jackson and cornerback Kyle Fuller.

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Bleacher Report gives Bears “C” grade for 2019 season

A season that began with Super Bowl expectations ended in disappointment for the Bears, with a 8-8 record and no playoff berth.

The Chicago Bears are two days into a premature offseason following a season that began with Super Bowl expectations and ended with a 8-8 record and no playoff berth.

On the final day of the decade, it’s hard not to think back about how miserable these last 10 years have been as a whole for this franchise. And yet, the 2019 doesn’t rank near the bottom.

Bleacher Report gave the Bears a “C” grade for their 2019 season.

Trubisky’s subpar play isn’t the only issue. The Bears didn’t find much success running the football with their rookie third-rounder David Montgomery. He averaged 3.5 yards per carry behind an offensive line that ranked 31st in run-blocking adjusted line yards (3.71), per Football Outsiders.

Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano took over the top-scoring defense. Although the Bears listed fifth in the category, the unit lost a bit of its edge. In comparison to the 2018 campaign, Chicago’s sack and takeaway totals dropped under its new play-caller.

The Bears took a step back, but they have enough playmakers for a better showing in 2020 if the coaching staff can optimize its roster talent.

The 2019 season was one of wasted opportunities and shattered expectations, which is why it feels even more brutal than it actually was. This was supposed to be the Bears’ year — the year where they finally made it back to the Super Bowl. Everything was in place, and they were coming off their best season in years.

But a lack of execution and the pressure of those high expectations ultimately spelled the downfall of this team. As we prepare for a new decade, let’s hope this next decade is far kinder to the Bears than this one was.

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Will Bears OLB Khalil Mack reach double-digit sacks in 2019?

Entering the final game of the season, Bears OLB Khalil Mack has 8.5 sacks. Can he eclipse the double-digit mark for the season?

While the most important thing that Bears star edge rusher Khalil Mack cares about remains winning a championship, there’s something else he’s playing for in Sunday’s season finale against the Vikings.

Entering the final week of the 2019 season, Mack leads the Bears with 8.5 sacks. But he’d like to reach double-digits before season’s end, which would mean getting at least 1.5 against the Vikings on Sunday.

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“Absolutely it means something,” Mack said. “But, at the same time, it’s a whole other mindset that I’m in at this stage of my career as far as wanting to play in the playoffs and get to the championship.”

While Mack’s numbers haven’t lived up to his personal expectations, he’s still had an impact on the field. Although Mack isn’t happy with his performance this season. But that’s to be expected, considering how the Bears underachieved this year.

The Bears might face a Vikings team that’s resting a bulk of their starters, which could give Mack an opportunity to get after backup quarterback Trevor Siemian.

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4 bold predictions for Bears’ Week 17 matchup vs. Vikings

Can the Bears offense slow down a hungry Vikings defense? Will Khalil Mack deliver a repeat performance? My final bold predictions for 2019.

The Chicago Bears (7-8) will face the Minnesota Vikings (10-5) in their season finale Sunday, and for many it’s a season that they can’t wait to come to an end.

Following the Super Bowl expectations ahead of the regular-season opener, the Bears have stumbled through their 2019 campaign, where the offense had one of its worst outputs in franchise history.

While the Bears aren’t playing for playoff contention, they’ll be looking to end things on a high note and look towards, hopefully, a much brighter 2020 season.

Here are my final four bold predictions for the Bears’ as they wrap their 2019 season against the Vikings:

1. Bears offense will hold Vikings defense to zero takeaways

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

There’s no defense that is forcing more turnovers in the past couple of games than the Vikings, who have garnered 10 takeaways in the last two games — seven against the Chargers and three against the Packers — which is four more than any other team in that same span. They’ve forced eight fumbles (recovered six of them) and have four interceptions in the past two weeks.

So the Bears offense definitely has its hands full as it prepares to face a Vikings defense that is peaking just ahead of its postseason berth. The Bears have turned the ball over three times in the past two games — all three of them coming against the Packers. Mitchell Trubisky tossed two interceptions (although one was a Hail Mary at the end of the first half) and David Montgomery lost a costly fumble.

The Bears are coming off a game where they didn’t turn the ball over against the Chiefs. Although we saw how well playing it safe worked out for Chicago.

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Bears’ loss vs. Chiefs can be summed up in one word: ‘Embarrassing’

The Bears’ 26-3 loss to the Chiefs was a microcosm of their 2019 season, a complete disappointment all around.

When describing the Bears’ 26-3 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday night, one word sums it up: Embarrassing.

But don’t take my word for it, let the players explain.

“Last home game, prime time, it’s embarrassing,” Eddie Jackson said.

Khalil Mack elaborated further.

“You play games like that on TV, prime time, you want to go out and ball, especially at home,” Mack said. “It’s embarrassing to us. We embarrassed our fans. And ultimately that’s unacceptable.”

It was a fitting end at home for a season that began with an embarrassing loss to the Green Bay Packers on a primetime stage. Only no one could’ve known that loss was a foreshadowing of what was to come for the Bears in a season that was once ripe with Super Bowl expectations.

The Bears secured their early offseason with a loss last week against the Packers, which shortly after led to their elimination from playoff contention. And yet, there was still plenty to play for. Pride. Jobs. Contract extensions.

But the Bears looked like a group uninspired as they faced off against one of the best teams in the league in the Chiefs — a squad that Bears fans could only dream of their team becoming.

While the Bears offense put on another embarrassing clinic on how not to play football — including abysmal play from quarterback Mitchell Trubisky right down to the offensive line and to play caller Matt Nagy — in a sad way, it was expected. After all, that’s what this offense has shown they are all season.

But it was the defense’s sloppy play that was frustrating. While no one expected them to stop Patrick Mahomes, they certainly helped him with their self-inflicted mistakes, including costly penalties that kept drives alive and allowed Mahomes to do his thing.

“It was definitely sloppy,” Mack said. “There were a lot of things we gave them, especially up front, rushing wise, on the touchdown scramble and a couple third downs he was able to extend the play a little bit. Ultimately, it’s not the type of ball we want to play.”

The Bears still have one game remaining this season before they head into an offseason with plenty of questions to be answered. One of this questions: What type of ball do they want to play?

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Bears OLB Khalil Mack isn’t happy with his 2019 performance

This season has been a disappointment for the Bears, and OLB Khalil Mack was critical of his own performance this year.

Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack was voted to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl. But that’s not something he wants to talk about.

“Next question,” he told the media Friday.

But is he going to play in the game?

“Next question,” he repeated.

For Mack, it’s hard to get excited about the Pro Bowl when the Bears have been eliminated from playoff contention. That’s how he measures success — not in individual accolades but playing meaningful football in January.

“The only thing you can really count on is getting to the playoffs and that’s my mindset,” Mack said. “You can’t really say it’s successful in that form or fashion. But it is what it is.”

Not only is Mack frustrated with missing the playoffs, he’s also disappointed in his individual performance this season.

“It’s tough,” he said. “I’m a tough critic, especially on myself. It definitely wasn’t what I wanted to put on film all year. But it is what it is.”

Mack has 42 tackles, 7.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, five forced fumbles, four passes defended. They’re good enough numbers, but not exactly what you’d expect from Mack.

Despite what the box score says, Mack is someone that affects every play. Opposing teams game plan specifically for him, he gets pressure on the quarterback, but this season the sacks haven’t been there.

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Khalil Mack, Cordarrelle Patterson named to USA Today’s All-Decade Team

Two Chicago Bears have been named to USA Today’s All-Decade Team: Outside linebacker Khalil Mack and kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson.

Two Chicago Bears have been named to USA Today’s All-Decade Team: Outside linebacker Khalil Mack and kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson.

While both haven’t been with the Bears for very long — Mack is in his second year and Patterson his first with Chicago — they’ve already had lasting impacts on the franchise.

In Mack’s first season with the Bears, he amassed 12.5 sacks, a career-high six forced fumbles and 18 quarterback hits. But even more than that, it was his presence on the field that added a new wrinkle to Chicago’s defense. Even when he’s not making an impact on the box score, he’s affecting every play.

Before Mack was traded to the Bears in 2018, he established himself as one of the NFL’s best defenders with the Oakland Raiders. In 2016, Mack was named Defensive Player of the Year following a season where he registered 15.0 sacks and 23 tackles-for-loss. Mack has now been voted to five straight Pro Bowls (three with the Raiders, two with the Bears).

In Patterson’s first season with the Bears, he’s breathed life into Chicago’s kick return game. He ranks second in the league with a 29.6-yard average on 27 kickoff returns, and he’s ran one back 102 yards for a touchdown against the Saints. More than a kick returner, Patterson has proven to be an impressive gunner on special teams.

When the Bears signed Patterson in the offseason, they were adding a dynamic weapon that affected plays on both offense and special teams. Patterson ranks second in NFL history averaging 29.9 yards on 203 kickoff returns. He also ranks third all-time on the NFL’s kickoff return touchdowns list with seven.

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The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

 

The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

Every year, a group of undeserving players are named to the Pro Bowl. Here’s this year’s list, and the players who should replace them.

If you think the Pro Bowl is a meaningless exercise, don’t tell the fans, players, and teams when somebody on their side is snubbed in the process. Every year, there are deserving players who aren’t voted to the Pro Bowl roster, and every year, there are players who get on more through previous reputation than current performance.

Here are the most egregious omissions in the 2019 voting, with thought on which players these unfortunate snubs should replace. Because if you’re going to complain about a player who’s wrongly off the Pro Bowl roster, you should be able to find a guy who’s taking up space. That’s where things get a bit more difficult!

Quarterback (NFC)

In: Dak Prescott or Kirk Cousins
Out: Aaron Rodgers

(Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

Either Prescott or Cousins would be a better fit on the NFC roster than Aaron Rodgers, who had just three games with more than 300 passing yards this season, three games with less than 200 yards passing, and eight games with one or zero touchdowns. Cousins has been on fire after a rough start to the season, and Prescott ranks first in Football Outsiders’ opponent-adjusted efficiency metrics. Not that Rodgers has had a bad season, but this seems much more like a reputation pick than anything else.

Receiver (AFC)

In: Julian Edelman
Out: Jarvis Landry

(Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

Landry has been one of Cleveland’s few bright spots on offense this season, but it’s kind of ridiculous to have him in over Edelman, who was part of a total snub of New England offensive players that hasn’t happened since 2003. Yes, Landry has 74 catches on 1,018 yards and five touchdowns, but Edelman has 92 catches for 1,019 yards and six touchdowns in an offense so broken, opposing defenses can bracket him on just about every play. Edelman has faced more double teams than at any other point in his career, and he’s having arguably his most productive season.

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