NFC North: 5 things to look for in 2018

By Cody Rivera | Aug 20, 2018

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after a first quarter touchdown pass to wide receiver Stefon Diggs #14 against the Denver Broncos during an NFL preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 16: Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) scans the field during a game between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions on December 16, 2017, at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Mitch Trubisky can make or break the Bears

From a defensive standpoint, Chicago is looking pretty good. Alas, they weren’t able to make up for a very lackluster offense in 2017, and that’s why the Bears found themselves stuck in the basement of the division.

They’ve made some moves to fix that problem. They hired an offensive-minded coach in Nagy, and they signed deep threat receiver Allen Robinson to get the offense flowing. But as always, the key will be a good season from second-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky. He’s got the offensive pieces to succeed, such as Robinson and powerful running back Jordan Howard. He just has to click in his role.

If Trubisky has a good season, this offense can make huge strides from where it was last season, and Chicago might be able to stay respectable in the division. If Trubisky fails to deliver the goods, then it will be difficult for the other offensive guys to pick up his slack.

Unfortunately, Trubisky’s shoulders are heaped with pressure. The Bears gave up draft picks to get him, trading up to No. 2 overall in last year’s draft to make the selection. After a less-than-stellar rookie season, the Bears went to work to try and make things easier for him. They essentially redesigned the entire offense to fit around Trubisky. Now they’re basically telling him, “we’ve done all this for you, and now it’s all on you to come through.”

The 2018 season will tell us a lot about the kind of quarterback Trubisky will become in the NFL.