TWITTER Q&A
Q: [Khalil] Mack and Aaron Donald are considered the two frontrunners for [defensive player of the year] in many eyes. What would it take for Eddie Jackson to overcome them, and does positional value matter that much when considering players for that award?
— @MBalsley A: Defensive backs have won the award relatively recently: the Steelers’ Troy Polamalu (2010), the Packers’ Charles Woodson (2009), the Colts’ Bob Sanders (2007) and the Ravens’ Ed Reed (2004). Jackson’s three defensive touchdowns put him in the conversation, but he must do more to surpass Mack and Donald. Texans star J.J. Watt is in the mix again, too. When Polamalu won the award, he had seven interceptions, though he scored only one touchdown. At an individual level, the Bears want Jackson to continue to focus on his tackling. He tends to miss one or two each game, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is on his case about it.
Q: What are your thoughts on the usage of Trey Burton? Why haven’t they utilized him very much?
— @golferguy11 A: It’s wrong to say the Bears haven’t used Burton much. His 38 catches and 448 receiving yards are career highs. He’s also tied with rookie receiver Anthony Miller for the team lead with five touchdown catches. It was unfair, though, to expect him to become the second coming of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in the Bears’ offense. In time, Burton’s production should increase with quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s comfort level in coach Matt Nagy’s offense.
Q: Taylor Gabriel has scored in just one game this season. Is that a fluke, or is he just the odd man out in the red-zone playbook?
— @PMooney5 A: Gabriel, who is 5-8 and 165 pounds, certainly isn’t the Bears’ first option in the red zone. The Bears have running backs Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen, tight ends Burton and Adam Shaheen and receiver Allen Robinson to turn to. Trubisky’s legs are a threat, too. But Gabriel has been a solid addition. He only has two touchdown catches, but he leads the team with 527 receiving yards. He also has eight carries for 53 yards. Overall, Gabriel is an important, productive part of a diverse offense.
— Adam L. Jahns