Following a disappointing 2019 season, not many expect the Chicago Bears to succeed in 2020. While the doubt is fair, there has been some pretty ridiculous takes, including opinions that the Bears are among the worst teams in the NFL. Which is far from true, especially considering they managed to win eight games with an abysmal offense, questionable quarterback play and injuries on defense.
The Bears have thrived in the underdog role, and they’ll have redemption on their minds in 2020. But what is integral in Chicago’s potential success in 2020?
NFL.com’s Dan Hanzus believes the key to the Bears’ success in 2020 isn’t consistency at quarterback — although that’s clearly a must — but a lights-out performance by stud pass rusher Khalil Mack.
The Chicago Bears need … Khalil Mack to go off. A year ago, the Bears thought their biggest issue was finding a kicker who wouldn’t yack on his cleats come playoff time. Chicago then regressed all over the place in 2019 en route to a 8-8 third-place finish in the NFC North. Mitchell Trubisky was the easy guy to blame for the team’s struggles, but that’s a little too neat.
The defense wasn’t nearly as dominant as it was during its 12-4 season of 2018, and Mack — the unit’s unquestioned centerpiece — finished with just 8.5 sacks, the second-lowest total of his career. Mack was still a handful, but the opposition was able to neutralize him some with double- and triple-team blocking assignments. Enter Robert Quinn, the big-money, free-agent acquisition who will be asked to take some of the spotlight off Mack. If Quinn can replicate his 2019 production in Dallas (11.5 sacks), a healthy Mack should return to the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. This Bears team needs a truly great defense to matter in 2020.
Following a truly magical 2018 season, it was always going to be hard for the Bears to replicate that dominant defensive effort in 2019. Not only were takeaways down significantly — from 36 in 2018 to 19 in 2019 — but Chicago dealt with injuries last year that they hadn’t experienced in 2018.
The Bears’ pass rush also regressed in 2019, where Mack notched just 8.5 sacks. His partner-in-crime, Leonard Floyd, managed a career-low three sacks and failed to take advantage of Mack being double and triple teamed.
But in bringing in former Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Robert Quinn, the Bears will have a two-headed monster in the pass rush, as both Mack and Quinn have plenty of success getting after the quarterback. And, unlike Floyd, Quinn figures to take advantage of those one-on-one opportunities.
Chicago’s success in 2020 is ultimately dependent on the defense, which has carried this team in the last two seasons. But the Bears also need their offense to step things up following an atrocious showing in 2019.
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