5 reasons Bears can win the Super Bowl this year

Khalil Mack

Despite how good Eddie Jackson is, the face of this defensive unit will continue to be edge rusher Khalil Mack. The three-time First-Team All-Pro pass rushing specialist is an absolute stud who continues year in and year out to compete for Defensive Player of the Year honors, including winning the award in 2016.

And if the Bears are going to compete for the Lombardi Trophy, Mack putting up double-digit sacks, as he’s done in four of his six NFL seasons, will be imperative. The former Oakland Raider only notched 8.5 sacks a season ago, and him returning to a dominate, game-wrecking force will be imperative for the unit returning to Super Bowl contending form.

But he should be able to do so without much issue. The team is loaded with talent along the front seven, especially defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, and the rest of those folks playing alongside Mack must play better than they did a season ago, so that Mack is not required to do all of the work himself.

In 2018, the Bears were amongst the best teams in the NFC, notching a 12-4 record and establishing themselves as legitimate contenders for the Super Bowl. Now, with an improved defensive unit, featuring multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro caliber players, the team should be able to return to that form heading into the 2020 season.

It will not be easy to get through the daunting NFC North – but Chicago is still the most talented team in the division, and must take advantage of it.