TOP 10 LIST
Our annual look at the most important Bears as camp opens this week
Former Bears coach John Fox used to say he preferred to under-promise and overdeliver. He barely promised anything, and in the end, he never delivered.
After three years of failure under Fox, the Matt Nagy era begins with optimism and an expectation of an overdue turnaround for the Bears. And Nagy seemingly has embraced everything about it.
During the offseason program in April, he used the expansion of Halas Hall as an analogy for what the Bears are trying to build.
“You want them to know that this is real with where we’re going and what we’re doing,” he said. “I want them to know that we want to win now. So you’ve got to understand what it takes to get there.”
For starters, it’ll take these men — the 10 most important Bears players for a successful season:
1. TE Trey Burton
As the story goes, Nagy didn’t begin discussing personnel with general manager Ryan Pace until he and his family boarded the Bears’ charter jet out of Kansas City after he was hired. Onboard, Nagy highlighted the need for his all-important “U” tight end — a pass-catching hybrid of a tight end and wide receiver who can help tip coverages, cause mismatches and create easy throws for a quarterback.
Pace already had a player in mind: Eagles backup Burton. He’s not Eagles starter Zach Ertz or Chiefs star Travis Kelce, but Nagy thought Burton could flourish with more opportunities and responsibilities. Now we’re about to find out if that’s true — and whether Burton, despite his limited production with the Eagles, can live up to a four-year,
$32 million contract.
The successes and failures of quarterback Mitch Trubisky will determine much about this season, but no player is more important to Trubisky’s success than Burton. He’s here to make Trubisky’s life easier as Trubisky acclimates to Nagy’s nuanced offense. Coming from the Eagles — where Nagy started his coaching career — he not only has a grasp on Nagy’s scheme but is expected to help teach it to his teammates.
“[Burton] can do anything we ask him within this offense,” Trubisky said. “I feel like any time he’s on the field, he’s going to be open and make a play for us when we need it.”
2. QB Mitch Trubisky
Trubisky will be No. 1 on this list next year and beyond. But this year is different. He’s learning a complicated offense — one that backup quarterback Chase Daniel described as “very quarterback-intensive.” Trubisky will make mistakes — in fact needs to make them to learn and improve.
His work ethic and natural leadership abilities will aid his transition. But he also needs help in his first full year as an NFL starter, which is why Burton is No. 1 for now.
3. RB Tarik Cohen
In Week 10 of last season, Cohen played only 13 offensive snaps in a 23-16 loss to the Packers. Fox and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains tried to defend it, but it was inexplicable. In a close game against a rival, the Bears’ best threat barely played.
It’s too early to truly tell what Nagy’s offense will be, but the smallish Cohen surely will be a big part of it.
“He’s an athletic kid that does a lot of things well,” Nagy said. “We’ll have some fun with him.”
Loggains did, too, with Cohen’s touchdown pass to Zach Miller against the Ravens in Week 6 as an example. But Nagy is unlikely to limit Cohen. He’s a mismatch waiting to happen — and a running back first, which gives Nagy more options.
“I feel like this is the offense for me,” said Cohen, who’s learning several positions.
4. OLB Leonard Floyd
If Floyd doesn’t break out in his third season with double-digit sacks, will it ever happen?
It’s a question worth considering given his injury history and the Bears’ shortage of pass rushers. And the Bears have to decide after this season whether to pick up Floyd’s fifth-year option.
After injuring ligaments in his right knee last season, Floyd was limited during the offseason program and wore a bulky brace. He’s expected to be fully ready for training camp, though.
5. LB Roquan Smith
Despite finishing 10th in total defense last year, the Bears still were regarded around the league as needing more top-notch defensive talent. Their selection of Smith helps to change that perception.
Smith, the eighth overall draft pick, is a marquee talent for a marquee defensive coordinator in Vic Fangio. Some scouts considered Smith the best defensive player in the draft.
The Bears want Smith to earn his starting place, so a rotation is possible early with Smith, Danny Trevathan and Nick Kwiatkoski — all capable blitzers who can help ease concerns about the Bears’ pass rush. But Smith is in an ideal position to excel immediately. The entire secondary returns intact, and he has Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman up front.
6. RG Kyle Long
After missing just one game over his first three (Pro Bowl) seasons, Long missed 14 games over the next two seasons and underwent surgeries on his neck, shoulder and elbow this offseason. Running back Jordan Howard had consecutive 1,000-yard seasons despite Long being gone so much, but the offensive line is undoubtedly better when Long is there.
The Bears have the makings of a strong line, particularly in the middle, with center Cody Whitehair taking charge and guard/ center James Daniels being added in the second round of the draft. Other than Long, this line also has proven to be durable. Whitehair and left tackle Charles Leno Jr. didn’t miss a start in 2016 or 2017. Right tackle Bobby Massie only missed two games in those seasons.
7. S Eddie Jackson
To be great, the Bears’ defense can no longer rank near the bottom of the league in interceptions. Safety Adrian Amos and cornerbacks Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara are good players, but they’re not reliable in the takeaway department. This is where Jackson comes in. He focused on his tackling last season, but he also flashed his takeaway potential, starring in a 17-3 victory against the Panthers in which he scored on a 75-yard interception return and a 76-yard return of a recovered fumble. He finished his rookie year with two interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
If he can increase his takeaways in his second season, the defense takes an important step forward.
8. RB Jordan Howard
Howard’s vision and patience make him a threat in Nagy’s zone scheme. His workload, though, remains unclear. Nagy sees bell-cow abilities in Howard, but he also acknowledges his offense doesn’t require such a back in every game.
Kareem Hunt was a one-man show last year out of the backfield for the Chiefs, making him a bad comparison for Howard, who has to share snaps with Cohen. Chiefs running back Charcandrick West had 45 total touches last season behind Hunt. Cohen had 87 carries and 53 catches last season, to Howard’s 276 carries and 23 catches, and Cohen’s workload should increase under Nagy.
9. DL Akiem Hicks
Hicks didn’t make the Pro Bowl last season despite 8½ sacks, 15 tackles for loss and 54 tackles. The snub should serve as extra motivation — not that he needs it. He has improved every year since joining the Bears before the 2016 season.
Hicks rarely left the field last season. This year, he should benefit from the continued development of Goldman, Jonathan Bullard and Roy Robertson-Harris.
10. OLB Aaron Lynch
The Bears hope that reuniting Lynch with Fangio results in a resurgence after Lynch’s two awful seasons with the 49ers. They see Lynch’s one-year contract as good motivation, too.
But the lower-body injuries Lynch suffered in the offseason program were disconcerting. He has to play to produce, and the Bears desperately need him to help Floyd get after quarterbacks.