Strengths
1. Running Back
The Bears boast one of the league’s top young running back tandems with bellcow Jordan Howard and scatback Tarik Cohen.
At 24 years old, Howard was rumored to be on the trading block around draft season, but Chicago promised the power back that he’d return. The 23-year-old Cohen is the lightning to Howard’s thunder and figures to make a significant impact as a runner, pass catcher and returner.
Analysts should speculate Matt Nagy can utilize the duo similarly to how he used multifaceted offensive weapons Kareem Hunt and Tyreek Hill in Kansas City.
That’s a tantalizing thought for second-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
2. Pass Rush
What was once the team’s biggest weakness turned into its biggest strength as the city of Chicago awoke on Sept. 1. Going into the preseason, finding a No. 2 pass-rusher opposite Leonard Floyd was paramount. Well, Pace went out and found a No. 1 option instead.
Khalil Mack reached double-digit sacks in each of the past three seasons and totaled 40.5 sacks over his first four seasons. Bears players are already raving about what Mack brings to the table and the addition of such a disruptive force might be enough to push an above average defense to elite status.
Any doubts to Mack’s abilities were recognized in Week 1 versus the Green Bay Packers, where the edge rusher was a wrecking ball. And again versus Seattle in Week 2.
Floyd still oozes with potential and could develop into one of the best sack artists in the league himself. The Bears may have stumbled upon the pass-rushing unit in the league.
3. Defensive Staff
The new Bears regime is lucky to have held onto defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. The roster greatly benefits from the continuity that Fangio returns to Chicago for the fourth year.
Multiple NFL teams tried to pluck one of the league’s best defensive coordinators during the offseason, but the Bears quickly moved to sign Fangio to a three-year extension. The same group of players returns from last year’s eighth-ranked defense and look to build off that momentum with the same system in place.
With the addition of Mack and Roquan Smith, plus another year of development for the young group, Fangio will lead this defense to new heights.
Up Next: Weaknesses
