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Chicago Bears: Defensive Juggernaut an Offseason Away

By Dan Salem

Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA;Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) points works out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA;Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) points works out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Defense held back the Chicago Bears last season, but a defensive juggernaut is just one offseason away. Hit the draft hard and start spending. Da Bears are turning things around.

We’re tackling each team in the league, traveling alphabetically to debate their biggest offseason issues. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

TODD:

Chicago was a borderline middle-of-the-road team in 2015, yet it has major upheaval coming to its roster this offseason. Matt Forte is a pending free agent, and the team has already said it will not be bringing him back. That means the backfield is being turned over to last year’s rookie Jeremy Langford.

On the outside, receiver Alshon Jeffery is also a pending free agent. I seems doubtful the team would let him escape and turn the number-one receiver duties over to another rising sophomore, Kevin White. And yet, the possibility remains.

Quarterback Jay Cutler has an extensive $17 million cap hit coming in 2016, but cap room is not really a concern at this point for the Bears. Instead, it’s finding impactful pieces to fill the roster. Even if Jeffery returns, the team needs to find other weapons on offense while also boosting what was a putrid defensive football team.

That is really the weakest point on this roster: the defense. Are there enough moves to be made to bolster that side of the football to the point where Chicago can compete with the likes of Green Bay, Minnesota and Detroit? It’s easy to envision a scenario where the Bears are once again the worst team in a very good NFC North.

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In 2015, Chicago went 1-5 within its division. The Bears were also an unbelievable 1-7 at home. To what can you attribute such a poor home record? Is it Cutler? Is he the problem? Is it just a case of the Bears playing a tough home schedule?

I see the Bears turning to defense with their first-round draft pick and their biggest free-agent signing (not counting Jeffery). I don’t see that being enough to get this team into contention though.

Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould (9) is congratulated by quarterback Jay Cutler (6) and teammates as he makes a field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Chicago Bears defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-21. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould (9) is congratulated by quarterback Jay Cutler (6) and teammates as he makes a field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Chicago Bears defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-21. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

DAN:

Jay Cutler has never been the problem in Chicago, yet his apparent apathy makes it very difficult to see him as any kind of answer for the Bears. Having a game managing quarterback, or one who loves to go big or go home like Cutler does throwing the football, is great for teams with great defense. Chuck the ball all over the place, or play the field position battle, because an interception or punt won’t yield points with a great defense. The Bears did not have this luxury last season, making Cutler’s style of play a hindrance rather than a weapon.

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The solution to Chicago’s problem is simple. Go big or go home this offseason. Jay Cutler has several years of top-level football left in him, and by re-building a defensive juggernaut the Bears can turn him back into a weapon. I like what the team has put together on offense, so it’s all defense in the draft and free agency.

There is a bevy of defensive talent hitting the free agent market. The 2016 NFL Draft is stacked as well. Chicago picks 11th overall in round one, then 8th in round two and 9th in round three. Overall the Bears have nine picks in the seven-round draft this year. To say they can’t add enough talent to flip the script is wrong. Detroit trended way down last season. Green Bay hit a road block and may or may not bounce back to their dominant form. Minnesota either peaked or is getting better. That leaves Chicago with a lot of room to capitalize on an easy schedule.

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The Bears play the NFC East and AFC South next season, the two worst divisions in football in 2015. They also get San Francisco and Tampa Bay. None of these teams scare me. Chicago has a very young defense and its about to get younger through the draft. Bring in a veteran and this team is starting to feel complete.

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