Here’s an in-depth look at what’s brewing offensively in the Windy City.
Two seasons ago the Chicago Bears had to face a challenge that every struggling franchise goes through–entering a new age. They had an inconsistent (and sometimes incompetent) quarterback–Jay Cutler. The team went 3-13 and the team had to find a new franchise quarterback.
They did, but it came at a hefty price. The team sacrificed a significant amount of assets to acquire UNC QB Mitch Trubisky in the 2017 NFL Draft. But it was Mike Glennon, not Trubisky, who started the 2017-2018 year as the team’s #1 QB. The team went 1-3 under Glennon and the Bears needed to make a change.
That’s when the team unleashed its pride possession–Trubisky. But not surprisingly, he had a difficult time adjusting to the pace of the NFL.
Mitch Trubisky (photo, Chicagotribune.com)
Trubisky threw for 2,193 yards, seven touchdowns, and seven interceptions. But perhaps a bigger problem was the team’s inexperience at wide receiver.
The only bright spot at that position, Kevin White, suffered a season-ending injury after catching four passes in Week 1. Kendall Wright, a first-round draft choice, was the only prime candidate behind him. The others were either seventh-round choices or players who hadn’t been drafted.
And that weakness showed on the field. The Bears ended up dead last in receiving yards per game and next to last in receptions of 20+ yards.
GM Ryan Pace had to do something…and he did. The first fixes came via free agency. Pace signed three quality receivers.
The first signee was Demarcus Ayers. Ayers, the Steelers’ seventh-round pick in 2016, is a solid player. Next was Allen Robinson. At 6’3”, 211 lbs., Robinson offers size and length that Trubisky can use in the Red Zone. Finally, there’s Taylor Gabriel. Gabriel, a key player in the Falcons’ Super Bowl run, provides experience.
Anthony Miller (photo, commercialappeal.com)
Next for Pace came the draft came. Because the Bears gave up their 1st round pick in the Trubisky trade, the Bear’s earliest selection came at #51. And Pace used it to pick another receiver–Anthony Miller. Miller had an outstanding career at Memphis, racking up 3,590 yards and 37 touchdowns in three seasons.
The acquisition of those four receivers now puts the Bears in a great position to succeed offensively. They now have a legitimate receiving corps to complement a solid run game. That means Trubisky, who has a year of NFL experience behind him, should thrive at QB.
In 2018, expect the Bears to shock the NFL offensively.
