GRADING THE BEARS (2021 SEASON)
QUARTERBACK
D The plan for rookie Justin Fields to sit behind Andy Dalton — a questionable idea in itself — never materialized because of an early injury to Dalton. Mismanagement and Fields’ inability to stay healthy further deteriorated the situation. Fields showed promise but almost will be back to Square 1 heading into 2022.
RUNNING BACKS
C David Montgomery (225 carries, 847 yards, seven TDs) had two 100-yard games early (108 against the Rams, 106 against the Lions), but he couldn’t rise above the muck. Rookie Khalil Herbert (103 carries, 433 yards) looks like a keeper. Damien Williams was no factor.
RECEIVERS
D Allen Robinson’s disappearance (38 catches, 410 yards, one TD) was a major symptom of a broken offense. Darnell Mooney (81 catches, 1,055 yards, four TDs) had three 100-yard games — and eight with 45 or fewer. TEs Jesse James and Jesper Horsted have as many TDs (three) as Cole Kmet (60 catches, 612 yards, zero TDs) and Jimmy Graham (14 catches, 167 yards, three TDs).
OFFENSIVE LINE
D Rookie Teven Jenkins came to camp hurt, had surgery, returned in Week 13, didn’t play LT until Week 14, got hurt three snaps into the game in Week 16 and played sparingly in Weeks 17-18 behind 39-year-old Jason Peters. Rookie Larry Borom was a bright spot at RT. Bears need an upgrade at center.
DEFENSIVE LINE
B- Akiem Hicks (3.5 sacks) was good — but not great — when he played, but he missed nine games with various injuries. Eddie Goldman, after opting out of 2020 because of COVID, was ineffective in his return. Rookie Khyiris Tonga looked like a seventh-round find. Bilal Nichols is at a crossroads after an inconsistent season.
LINEBACKERS
B+ Robert Quinn rebounded from a two-sack season in 2020 with 18.5 sacks to break Richard Dent’s franchise record. Khalil Mack (six sacks) missed the last 10 games. Roquan Smith (157 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, pick-six) played at an All-Pro level. Danny Trevathan petered out with injuries and ineffectiveness.
SECONDARY
C- With Kyle Fuller gone, Jaylon Johnson established himself as the No. 1 CB, often shadowing the opponent’s No. 1 receiver. He was mostly effective, though he had only three pass breakups in the last 12 games and one INT for the season. Kindle Vildor struggled. Eddie Jackson was better but lacked big plays. Tashaun Gipson made plays.
SPECIAL TEAMS
B- Cairo Santos (26-for-30 on FGs) made his first 13 FGs to give him 40 in a row. Jakeem Grant had one of only two punt-return TDs in the NFL. Pat O’Donnell averaged a career-high 46.3 yards per punt (15th in the NFL), but the Bears were 25th in net punting (38.5).
COACHING
D Matt Nagy could have given himself a chance with veteran Andy Dalton leading a productive offense or rookie Justin Fields establishing himself as the next big thing, but neither happened. The Bears finished 26th in points and 30th in yards, with a disastrous game against the Browns pretty much sealing his fate.