2014 record: 5-11
1st 2015 NFL Draft pick: No. 7 overall
Key Free Agency Acquisitions: Pernell McPhee, Antrel Rolle, Jarvis Jenkins
Turnaround in 2015? Yes
The biggest issue I have with the Chicago Bears—once they finish re-tooling their defense—is whether or not Alshon Jeffery can carry the passing game. Trading Brandon Marshall seems on the surface to be a bad idea but if they can replace him with someone who can work off Jeffery, it will work out.
That’s the problem though—it’s a big if.
The division is also an issue as the Green Bay Packers continue to be in charge and aren’t slipping, while the Detroit Lions have improved a ton and the Minnesota Vikings appear to be ascendant again.
And yet, adding Pernell McPhee will give the defense a huge boost, while Jarvis Jenkins will be good rotating in with Jay Ratliff on the left side of the line. Jared Allen played well enough to expect him to have at least a decent season, opposite McPhee and Antrel Rolle should be a nice upgrade at strong safety. I also expect strong seasons from Willie Young and Lamarr Houston as the entire defense bounces back.
The offensive line continues to improve and while it’s fashionable to hate on Jay Cutler, some of his problems were that offensive line. That’s not to say he isn’t responsible for some bad decisions and worse throws, just that blaming him is to ignore part of the story here.
Of course, that brings us back to losing Brandon Marshall, who was coming off just the second sub-1,000 yard season of his career in part due to injury. Again, Jeffery is one of the best young receivers in the NFL, but I’m not sure Eddie Royal, Marquess Wilson, Josh Bellamy, Marc Mariani, Rashad Lawrence or John Chiles is pulling coverage off him anytime soon.
All that being said, I believe the Bears find another option to pair with Jeffery and improve the defense enough to have a big turnaround. They have the core talent on the roster—they just need to get someone to execute with it and I think John Fox is that guy.
Next: St. Louis Rams