Between now and the end of August, TGS will offer up a quick snapshot of every NFL team heading into the 2016 regular season. Today, the Chicago Bears.
2015 in a nutshell: Ravaged yet again by injuries, they’re never able to recover from an 0-3 start, finishing without a winning record (6-10) for the third straight year.
Why 2016 could be different: Star receiver Alshon Jeffery appears to be healthy and should be inspired under the franchise tag, and John Fox made some nice upgrades to the defense.
Major additions: Top 2015 pick Kevin White, who missed the entire 2015 season due to injury and could team up with Jeffery to do damage. Also, starting-caliber free-agent acquisitions Akiem Hicks, Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan on defense and Bobby Massie on offense. Plus top-10 pass-rusher Leonard Floyd and rookie guard Cody Whitehair.
Major losses: Veteran offensive cogs Martellus Bennett and Matt Forte have moved on. Bennett was traded to New England, which I suppose means veteran Zach Miller will get a shot.
Breakout watch: Young Eddie Goldman became a stellar and reliable nose tackle last season as a rookie. Now, the 2015 second-round pick will look to bust out as a regular starter from the get-go in 2016.
Position to watch: Word is they’ll use a committee approach at running back, which makes sense because neither Jeremy Langford nor Ka’Deem Carey could step it up last season. Jacquizz Rodgers and rookie fifth-round pick Jordan Howard could also be factors.
Prediction: The defense should be better, so if quarterback Jay Cutler can build on the career year he had in 2015 and Jeffery can stay healthy, a Bears team with better health luck in general should compete for a playoff spot.
