Chicago Bears: Strengths & Weaknesses So Far in 2018

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Weaknesses

1. Offensive Tackle

Charles Leno Jr. is a serviceable left tackle. He showed improvement over the past two seasons, and there’s reasonable optimism that he can continue to do so. The same can’t be said on the opposite side of the line, where Bobbie Massie returns.

What you see is what you get with Massie. The starting right tackle showed fine but inconsistent play in 2017 and may prove to be the biggest weakness on along the line. There’s plenty of depth on the interior of the line with rookie second-round pick James Daniels, who put together an impressive preseason, coming off the bench behind Kyle Long, Cody Whitehair and Eric Kush.

Long started all 16 at right tackle in 2015 and played well. Although he’s better as a guard, Long could theoretically replace Massie at right tackle if he provides inconsistent play. That’s complete speculation, but an intriguing thought.

 

2. Defensive End

There’s still not a clear-cut winner to the training camp battle that ensued between Jonathan Bullard and Roy Robertson-Harris, but Bullard got the nod as the starter on the first depth chart release.

A third-round selection by Ryan Pace in 2016, Bullard enters his third season as the Week 1 starter despite Robertson-Harris arguably outperforming him during the preseason. Bullard is still a project as a 24 year old, who is solid against the run but still developing as a pass-rusher. Robertson-Harris displayed superior pass-rushing skills and is more likely to see time in obvious passing situations.

The position doesn’t contain an all-around force and instantly became the front seven’s biggest weakness after the Khalil Mack trade. A successful blend of Bullard and Robertson-Harris could prove passable, but the duo is the weak link of the defensive front.

 

3. Cornerback

Former first-round pick Kyle Fuller took a big leap in 2017, but he’s been inconsistent in his first four professional seasons. If the Bears want to make a run at the division, Fuller will have to maintain that level of play as the team’s No. 1 cornerback.

On the opposite side, Prince Amukamara returns for his second season. Injuries derailed the veteran’s prime, not having played a full season since 2013. Amukamara hadn’t intercepted a pass in the past two seasons, although that changed in Week 2 with his pick-six touchdown against the Seahawks. But at 29 years old, durability questions certainly loom.

It was a surprise that the front office didn’t address the position at all in the draft or free agency as depth is lacking on the roster. When at their best, Fuller and Amukamara make an admirable pair of cornerbacks, but there’s plenty of skepticism attached.

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