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Chicago Bears: Defense is Better, But Holes Still Remain

By David Mamola

Dec 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Lamarr Houston (99) and outside linebacker Willie Young (97) celebrate after they defensive play against Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Lamarr Houston (99) and outside linebacker Willie Young (97) celebrate after they defensive play against Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Bears have made it a priority to improve their defense this offseason. While talent has been added, there’s still a lot of question marks that remain.

The Chicago Bears hit rock bottom in 2014. After giving up 50 points in back-to-back games, the once-vaunted Bears defense became a laughing stock around the league. Head coach Marc Trestman and defensive coordinator Mel Tucker seemed to have no answers on how to fix it and the duo were given their walking papers after the season concluded.

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Last year, however, things felt different. Under new head coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, the Bears put a much more concerted effort into improving the defense.  Fox and Fangio are highly respected around the league for their creative defensive minds, and their additions (coupled with the signings of Pernell McPhee and Tracy Porter) helped the Bears’ defense return to a respectable level in 2015.

With this being said, more is expected from this unit in the upcoming 2016 season. First-round pick Leonard Floyd (who Chicago traded-up to get) gives the Bears a much-needed speed pass rusher; free-agent additions Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman provide the Bears with an immediate upgrade at inside linebacker; and the drafting of Deon Bush and Deiondre’ Hall have Bears’ fans hoping that the revolving door at safety is finally over.

Dec 6, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

General manager Ryan Pace did an outstanding job filling a number of holes on defense this offseason. In addition to Floyd, Trevathan, and Freeman, the Bears also signed veteran defensive end Akiem Hicks (a prototypical five-technique who should will start from day one and improve the play of all those around him) and resigned Porter, Chicago’s number-one cornerback last season.

The Bears also went “defensive heavy” in the draft, as six of the team’s nine draft picks were made on that side of the ball. Of note is third-round pick Jonathan Bullard, a defensive end from Florida whose constant-motor and strong run-stuffing skills could make him a fan favorite (and starter) early in his career.

Jonathan Bullard
Nov 7, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard (90) celebrates as he makes a tackle against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

There’s no denying that the talent on the Bears’ defense has drastically improved from last season to this season. However, there are still some question marks that could prevent this defense from making the strides that it needs to.

The most obvious concern is safety. Second-year free safety Adrian Amos played admirably last year, but he was too inconsistent and his tackling skills left something to be desired. The other safety spot is up for grabs, but it’s looking more and more likely that the position will be filled by a rookie. That’s fine, but the back-end of the Bears’ defense will be very inexperienced, and with that comes mental mistakes and growing pains.

There are also question marks along the defensive line. Hicks, Bullard, and Eddie Goldman figure to be the three starters, but the depth behind them is very thin. Bullard is a rookie and Goldman is entering just his second-season, so like the safety position, there could be some ups and downs.

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 22: Eddie Goldman
CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 22: Eddie Goldman /

Maybe the most disappointing aspect of the Bears’ defense is the cornerback position opposite Tracy Porter. Kyle Fuller was supposed to be “the guy”, but he has not lived-up to his ? first-round draft status and has shown no signs of improvement. Instead of being a building block, Fuller has become a liability on defense, and is entering a make-or-break season in 2016.

The frustrating thing for Bears’ fans is the fact that there’s no one currently on the roster to push Fuller. Nickel cornerback Bryce Callahan has question marks himself, and other than the rookies drafted this season, the Bears’ cornerback cuppard is pretty much empty.

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The Bears’ defense in 2016 is nearly unrecognizable then the one the team fielded last year.  There could be as many as six new starters week one, with countless other new faces serving as key reserves. It should be a much improved defense this season, but pump the brakes on calling it the second-coming of the 1985 Bears’ defense…there’s still a ton of work to do to reach that level!

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