BEARS ATTHE BREAK
Bears experts look back on first 8 games, then tell us what to expect rest of the way
The Sun- Times’ experts— Adam L. Jahns, Patrick Finley and Mark Potash— analyze the first half of the Bears’ season and predict what will happen in the second half:
The Bears’ first half was:
Adam L. Jahns: Encouraging. The Bears have made strides under general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox, particularly on defense. As promised, Pace and Fox have turned around a unit that set records for ineptitude before they arrived. After eight weeks, the defense ranked eighth in total defense, seventh in sacks and 10th against the pass. Mitch Trubisky’s arrival and development also provide hope, but more on him later.
Patrick Finley: The start of something interesting. Despite not being favored to win a game, the Bears are 3- 5 overall and 2- 2 with a rookie quarterback at the helm. Their defense already has as many takeaways as it did all last season and has proved it can win games. Workhorse Jordan Howard has been effective despite everyone knowing the Bears intend to run the ball. The Bears aren’t a playoff team, but they’re steaming toward respectability. For a franchise that hasn’t finished .500 since 2013, that’s progress.
Mark Potash: A good start to a rebuild. Admitting the Mike Glennon error after four games was quick by Bears standards and gives Mitch Trubisky a chance to grow. And the defense took an anticipated step, developing not only playmakers but depth to withstand injuries.
Reason for second- half optimism:
Jahns: Trubisky. The Bears protected Trubisky with their running game and stellar defense in his first four starts. Trubisky attempted 80 passes in four games; Mike Glennon threw 140 in his four. The Bears should allow Trubisky to do more as the season progresses, and he should flash his franchise- changing potential more and more each week.
Finley: The Bears had the most difficult strength of schedule in the NFL through their first eight games. The second half, though, features home games against the pitiful 49ers and Browns, the 3- 4 Lions and the Packers on a short week with Brett Hundley at quarterback. Of their four remaining road games, only a trip to Philadelphia qualifies as an automatic cross- off.
Potash: The Bears have playmakers— Leonard Floyd, Akiem Hicks and Eddie Jackson on defense and Trubisky and Jordan Howard on offense— who not only have a chance to keep improving but also to bring others along with them.
Reason for second- half pessimism:
Jahns: Let’s say their first four games. A 3- 5 record isn’t awful, considering how low expectations were after the Bears went 3- 13 last season, but it arguably could have been better. There is a big difference between 3- 5 and 4- 4. The Bears survived their first half schedule— the NFL’s toughest— despite Glennon’s turnover- filled play. Things get easier in the final eight weeks, especially with the Browns and 49ers on the docket. But making the playoffs still will be difficult after their 1- 3 start under Glennon.
Finley: The modern NFL requires teams to throw the ball forward. Dontrelle Inman and Markus Wheaton will bring veteran savvy in the second half, but they have a combined three catches this season. With Zach Miller out for the year, the Bears need Adam Shaheen and Daniel Brown to step up, but they have only three targets this season. That’s a bleak pass- catching picture, even if everyone stays healthy— and they won’t.
Potash: As promising as Trubisky has been, the notion that he would ‘‘ raise all boats’’ has not come to fruition. The lack of pass- catching weapons has become a drag on the offense in general and Trubisky as a prospect. The loss of Miller to a knee injury aggravates that situation. And the line hasn’t been consistent enough to take the offense to another level. The offense has a long, long way to go.
Mitch Trubisky will be:
Jahns: More productive in the second half because his coaches, namely Fox, will allow him to be. Fox’s emphasis on the running game will remain, but there will bemore balance. Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains’ play- calls for Trubisky should expand. Questions remain at tight end and receiver, but Inman’s experience should help.
Finley: The most important sports figure in Chicago from now until New Year’s Eve. If he can win half his remaining games and provide one highlight- reel throw per game, Trubisky’s jersey will be a more popular Christmas gift than those ridiculous Hatchimals were last year. Potash: Better in the second half than he was in the first, but still a couple of weapons short of establishing himself as a lock to be the Bears’ franchise quarterback. Barring injury, he at least will be more established at the end of his rookie season than the Rams’ Jared Goff was last season. That will provide offseason hope that, with better weapons, Trubisky will be the player the Bears expected.
Biggest need for improvement in the second half:
Jahns: The Bears need their young players on offense to develop alongside Trubisky. If he makes big strides, he needs receivers Tanner Gentry and Tre McBride, running back Tarik Cohen and tight end Adam Shaheen to do the same. Victories will depend on it. Finley: Trubisky himself. The Bears are happy with his development, but the fact that he has completed 47.5 percent of his passes is alarming, if not all his fault. His passer rating is below the league average for every category of throw— left, center and right— from 20 yards in. The Bears traded up to draft Trubisky because they loved his accuracy. We need to see more of it, provided his receivers can get open. Potash: The offense, from top to bottom. Loggains has to prove he deserves to be the coordinator to develop Trubisky into the elite quarterback he might be. Can he find a way to re- establish Cohen as a rushing threat after opponents caught on to the rookie late in the first half? And can he develop Shaheen into the pass- catching threat he’s supposed to be? Do that, and we’ll be impressed.
Will the Bears have a player voted into the Pro Bowl? Who?
Jahns: The Bears will have three or four, though one or two will be replacements. Hicks ( seven sacks) is a lock. He’s playing at an All- Pro level. Floyd, Jackson and cornerback Kyle Fuller also should continue to play themselves into the Pro Bowl conversation.
Finley: Hicks is one of the best defensive linemen on the planet. Floyd, who has five sacks in his last five games, has a chance. So does Howard, who won’t lack for opportunity.
Potash: Hicks and Howard have the best chances, even if the Bears win six or seven games. Other candidates are nose tackle Eddie Goldman, linebacker Danny Trevathan, Fuller and Jackson.
Bears’ record:
Jahns: 8- 8. Getting back to .500 — and respectability— starts with winnable home games against the Aaron Rodgers- less Packers, Lions, 49ers and Browns.
Finley: 7- 9. That’s one game better than I thought before the season started. Consider the Packers game flipped to a victory.
Potash: 7- 9. The schedule gives the improving Bears a chance to break through in the second half. But after so many disappointments after Super Bowl XLI, you have to see it to believe it.
Follow us on Twitter @ adamjahns,@ patrickfinley and@ Mark Potash.
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