The Chicago Bears are one of the up-and-coming teams in the NFC North. With a new franchise quarterback in place with Justin Fields, Chicago has a bright future as the team is littered with some intriguing, young players.
Head coach Matt Nagy needs a strong season to save his job and he has a roster that should contend for a playoff spot once again. There are some veterans in place that will help Fields early in his career once he takes over the starting spot from Andy Dalton.
Defensively, the Bears took a step backward in 2020 but have the pieces in place to turn things around this season.
Which players will have a big 2021? Here are three players primed for a breakout this season for the Bears.
3. Cole Kmet, Tight End
The Chicago Bears selected Cole Kmet out of Notre Dame with their second-round pick in 2020. He was brought along slowly, catching 28 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns. The presence of veteran Jimmy Graham played a part, as he played in all 16 games as well, catching 50 passes.
This season, the passing distribution should begin going more and more toward Kmet. 30 of his 44 targets as a rookie came in the final five games of the season. That doubled the number of targets that Graham received over the same span, as he was targeted only 15 times the final five games of the season.
Kmet received more chances toward the end of his rookie season and that will carry over into 2021 as he will break out as the team’s No. 1 tight end.
2. Jaylon Johnson, Cornerback
The Chicago Bears will need someone to step up in their secondary this season with Kyle Fuller moving on this offseason. Beyond veteran Desmond Trufant, the team doesn’t have much experience at the cornerback spot. One player that will seize the opportunity and breakout is Jaylon Johnson.
Johnson was the team’s second-round pick in 2020, going 50th overall; seven spots after Kmet was selected. He had a strong rookie season, starting 13 games. He compiled 15 passes defended and 44 combined tackles, one of which went for a loss.
The Bears will need Johnson to truly break out this season, as he will be relied upon to help overcome the loss of Fuller, who signed with the Denver Broncos.
1. Darnell Mooney, Wide Receiver
The 2020 NFL Draft looks like it is going to be a great one for the Bears. In addition to Cole Kmet and Jayon Johnson, the team also landed wide receiver Darnell Mooney in the fifth round out of Tulane.
Mooney quickly carved out a role in the team’s offense behind Allen Robinson, jumping Anthony Miller on the depth chart. He was targeted 98 times, catching 61 passes for 631 yards and four touchdowns.
He is locked into a top-two role alongside Robinson and will break the 100-target mark this season. Now heading into his second season with the improved quarterback play, Mooney will break out.
