After a troublesome 2019 season, the Chicago Bears are looking to rebound in a major way one year later. Quite possibly a much different looking offense, it’s the defense that must return to 2018 form to propel this team into a deep playoff run.

2019 Record: 8-8 (4-2 in NFC North)

One of football’s sport’s greatest rivalries, the Chicago Bears continue to have a Green Bay Packers problem. In Matt Nagy’s two seasons as head coach, the Bears own an 8-0 combined record against the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. However, the franchise is just 1-3 against their neighbors to the north. Green Bay, surprisingly led by their defense in 2019, lucked their way into a 13-3 record and NFC Championship appearance. In order to find success in 2020, that a hurdle Nagy and the Bears must climb in order to restore glory.

While the Packers accounted for two of their eight losses in 2019, it’s the other six that haunt the team heading into the new start. Starting the season 3-1, Akiem Hicks landing awkwardly in a losing effort in London against the Oakland Raiders spelled disaster. Almost a death sentence for the season in Week 5, the Bears couldn’t recover. Without a storming presence in the middle of the defensive line, Khalil Mack struggled to make a deep impact, often facing double and sometimes triple teams on his side. Leonard Floyd’s inability to disrupt off the line also played a factor. Turnovers and sacks took a dive and so did the entire team’s performance.

When it came time to reflect, it wasn’t Akiem Hicks slinging the ball on offense. Mitchell Trubisky regressed in his development and the run game and offense, which breeded creativity just one season before, became telegraphed, uninspired and too complex to succeed. Everything took a step back from the year prior, which saw the Bears atop the NFC North.

Returning Starters: Lucky Sevens

The Bears likely have seven returning starters on each side of the ball. Most importantly on the offensive phase is the tandem of James Daniels and Cody Whitehair. General Manager Ryan Pace drafted Daniels with eyes on the center position, so when Daniels and Whitehair switched positions heading in to the 2019 season, it wasn’t a shock. The experiment proved disastrous, pass protection was genuinely bad and Nagy quickly chose to reverse course. Expecting to hold steady with Whitehair as center for good, if they can anchor a line that struggled in 2019, it bodes well for the refreshed right side, too.

On defense, the return of a healthy Akiem Hicks makes all the difference in the world. A stronger defensive front leads to turnovers, sacks and greater output. Freeing up Khalil Mack and offseason acquisition Robert Quinn with a hefty defensive end like Hicks is what makes a very good defense great.

Key Additions

Well, speaking of Robert Quinn, the Chicago Bears signing the new pass rusher to replace Leonard Floyd is a major and much needed upgrade. Finally a worthy teammate to line up on the opposite side of Khalil Mack, even the best of offensive lines only have seconds to give their quarterback to release the ball or risk losing it.

Chicago’s tight end room is a cluster, but heading into 2020, there’s at least some clarity as to the main guys in the huddle. The signing of league veteran Jimmy Graham and drafting of Notre Dame standout Cole Kmet gives whomever the starting quarterback might be two viable options. High hopes for Trey Burton faded as did the former Super Bowl champs health. Graham and Kmet hope to provide a steady hand at a position of woe a season ago.

In retooling the offense, Chicago also acquired former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Even if the vet doesn’t get the starting nod, it’s a better option and true competition behind a struggling Mitchell Trubisky.

Season Outlook

If healthy, the Bears should easily compete for a playoff spot. At their worst, the Bears ended the season 8-8. In a Murphy’s Law of seasons, .500 was the worst the Bears could do. Expecting a better offense under the leadership of new OC Bill Lazor and new QB coach John DeFillippo, a jumpstart to the running game for David Montgomery could be everything the Chicago Bears need to achieve greater heights in 2020.

A defense rejuvenated with speed and health means everything in the takeaways game. Everything considered, the floor at 8-8, the Chicago Bears should make their triumphant return to the playoffs in the 2020 season. What does it take to get there?

Over/Under: 8.5

Considering the 8-8 finish a season ago, the health and improvements to the roster, this is a team that should compete for a division title, winning eleven games or more en route. Hammer the o8.5. Maybe the Bears add recently cut running back Leonard Fournette to shore up their backfield. We’re not even quite sure who gets the starting nod at QB Week 1 against Detroit. But we’re positive the defense remains top tier with Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn wreaking havoc off the edge.

Fantasy Watch:

Want to add a Chicago flair to your fantasy draft? Think about Allen Robinson. A quality WR1 and an even better WR2, he’s “The Guy” for Chicago’s receiving corps. With viable tight ends in Jimmy Graham and Cole Kmet, that brings hope in freeing up Robinson.

David Montgomery is an interesting bench RB and FLEX option in the event he stays healthy. But with the possibility of the addition of Leonard Fournette, I’d hold off until the former Jaguars running back finds a home before jumping to Montgomery as a crucial point-getter.

The Bears defense is a valuable pick in 2020. Khalil Mack strips footballs for breakfast and with Eddie Jackson moving back to the free safety position in 2020, Chicago has their best playmaker in the secondary back. Kyle Fuller was an interception magnet in 2018 and with a speedy Jaylon Johnson on the opposite end of the field, Fuller is likely to see action pick up this season.

No matter what you choose, let’s have some fun from our houses watching the action at Soldier Field in 2020.