2016 Chicago Bears Preview: Team Overview and Predictions

By Kevin Schroeder
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Updated: August 19, 2016

The Bears did some great work in the offseason upgrading their defense. With the upgrades in talent, I don’t think it’s out of the question for Vic Fangio to make the team a top-10 unit. The front seven should be very good. The line’s got some nice pieces and added Akiem Hicks in free agency. The linebackers were a weak spot last year and addressed very well in the offseason with the additions of Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman in the middle and the drafting of Leonard Floyd in the first round. The secondary remains a bit of a question mark. The safeties have some real potential, but that needs to materialize. Kyle Fuller needs to take a decent-sized step forward.

On offense, there are a few big questions. Will the team miss Matt Forte? (I don’t think so.) Will Adam Gase be a big loss? (Ehh, a little maybe, but the offense won’t fall apart.) How will the line perform? (Hopefully at least okay. The left side’s pretty young.) Will Jay Cutler’s 2016 be at least as good as his 2015? (I think so.) How will Kevin White perform in his first NFL season? (I think he’ll be rather good. He was my #1 receiver in the 2015 draft. Yes, ahead of Amari Cooper. His ceiling’s very high.)

The team has been looking to get younger and they’ve done that. I think we’ll see some good things on both sides of the ball, but it will probably take some time for it all to come together. However, looking at the schedule above, there are a good amount of winnable games. This preview predicts a 9-7 season.

Twitter: @KSchroeder_312

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com