5 burning questions the Bears must answer in 2019

2. Will the defense miss coordinator Vic Fangio?

It was a unit that allowed the third-fewest total yards in the league in 2018. No club gave up fewer yards per game on the ground. The team ranked seventh in the NFL in passing yards surrendered and permitted only 27 offensive touchdowns during the regular season.

The Chicago Bears gave up a league-low 283 points and forced an NFL-best 36 turnovers. Matt Nagy’s squad did allow a modest 22 scores through the air but also picked off 27 passes. Led by outside linebacker Khalil Mack, these “Monsters of the Midway” rolled up 50 sacks. And this defense was playing its best football down the stretch. Including the playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Bears limited their final five opponents to 17 points or less.

Of course, that unit was under the guidance of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. But the longtime football coach is now an NFL sideline leader for the first time as he is now at the control of the Denver Broncos. In his place is Chuck Pagano, out of football in 2018 following six seasons as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. It’s safe to say that he has some big shoes to fill. And there’s no doubt he will put his own personal touch on a group that includes standouts such as Mack, Akiem Hicks, 2018 first-round linebacker Roquan Smith (who led the team in tackles this past season), cornerback Kyle Fuller and ball-hawking safety Eddie Jackson – to name only a few.

While Fangio be missed? There’s no question. Will it be enough that this group will fall off considerably? There’s far too much talent here for that to occur.

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