The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about each of the 32 teams in the month leading up to kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 7. Today, the Chicago Bears.
Head coach: John Fox
Last season’s record: 3-13 (last in NFC North)
Playoff result: Better luck next year
Key free agent gains: The Bears’ biggest off-season signing is also their most baffling.
Quarterback Mike Glennon played in just 21 games over the past four years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and hasn’t started a game since the 2014 season. While he’ll likely start this September ahead of rookie Mitchell Trubisky, he’ll surely be on a short leash as he plays in front of a fanbase that’s already focused on the future.
The club also signed Mark Sanchez to a one-year contract, marking the struggling quarterback’s fourth stop in eight seasons.
Whoever does end up throwing the pigskin will have a few new targets in wide receivers Victor Cruz, Marcus Wheaton and Kendall Wright, and tight end Dion Sims.
Truuuuuu!
To Cruuuuuuuz!@MTrubisky10. @TeamVic. END ZONE!#DENvsCHI pic.twitter.com/wgjkTAWcUU
— NFL (@NFL) August 11, 2017
On the other side of the ball, safety Quintin Demps came in from Houston on a three-year deal while Prince Amukamara signed a one-year contract, though an early pre-season hamstring injury could see the former Jaguar’s season debut delayed.
Key free agent losses: Quarterback Jay Cutler retired for all of three months after being released by the Bears in March, but is back on an NFL roster after former Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase coaxed the polarizing gunslinger out of retirement to join the Dolphins. His former Bears backup, Brian Hoyer, is now in San Fransisco.
Gone, too, is one of Cutler’s most talented targets, as five-year Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery signed a deal with the Eagles. Defensive end Cornelius Washington is now with the Lions, while receiver Eddie Royal and cornerback Tracy Porter remain free agents.
Key draft picks: Regardless of how they got him, the Bears landed their quarterback of the future in Mitchell Trubisky during this year’s draft. (It seems there’s a definite theme this off-season in Chicago.)
The selection of the No. 2–overall pick was met with… let’s call it mixed reaction. But the new kid has been steadily chipping away at the fanbase’s doubt this off-season thanks to a strong camp and an even stronger pre-season debut.
Off to a start.
Every throw from @Mtrubisky10's preseason debut! #DENvsCHI pic.twitter.com/k5c6PdPpgk
— NFL (@NFL) August 11, 2017
Trubisky, 22, looked incredibly composed as he completed 18 of 25 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. He was also surprisingly nimble, rushing for 38 yards.
The Bears lost to the Broncos, but you wouldn’t know it judging by the rave reviews on Chicago sports Twitter.
Tight end Adam Shaheen and running back Tarik Cohen also bear watching, and don’t sleep on undrafted rookie wide receiver Tanner Gentry, who’s building up some solid chemistry with Trubisky in practice.
X-factor: One of the few bright spots in Chicago last season was the emergence of running back Jordan Howard. He rushed for 1,313 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie season, and will most likely have an even bigger year as the Bears smooth out the kinks in their passing game. Fantasy owners are already drooling.
2017 will be a success if: They can establish a clear No. 1 QB. There’s always room for an underdog in sports, but this season’s success likely won’t be measured in terms of wins and losses but rather in progress — especially at the quarterback position. Pre-season love says it’s #TrubiskyTime, but Glennon is likely the guy for now. Patience will be key, Bears fans.
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