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5 Things the Chicago Bears Must Do in 2016

By John Sarianides

Aug 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Soldier Field. Denver won 22-0. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Soldier Field. Denver won 22-0. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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John Fox enters year two as the head coach of the Chicago Bears. Fox has a track record of success during the second year of his coaching tenure. The hope in the Windy City is that the Bears can take the next step this season.

The Chicago Bears are on the right track. It might not seem that way right now, but the Bears will contend once again in the near future.

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John Fox’s teams in Carolina and Denver took the next step into contender status during his second season and the expectation is that the Bears will do the same this season.

The Bears have improved and could certainly contend for a playoff spot this but realistically speaking, they are probably a year away.

If the Bears want to contend in year two of the Fox regime, they’ll need to do these five things well.

1. Replace Matt Forte‘s Production: Replacing Forte’s production is virtually impossible. Forte accounted for 29 percent of the Bears’ offense since 2008. The Bears will try to do it with a committee that features Jeremy Langford, Ka’Deem Carey and rookie Jordan Howard.

All three backs are talented and a good fit in the Bears offense but they don’t offer the versatility of the talented Forte.

May 25, 2016; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) during the OTA practice at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2016; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) during the OTA practice at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Get More Pressure On the Quarterback: The Bears made finding pass rushers a priority this off-season. They drafted undersized pass rushing outside linebacker Leonard Floyd from Georgia and signed free agent defensive end Akiem Hicks, late of the New England Patriots. Both should add a spark to a pass rush that desperately needs it.

3. Develop Kevin White As the Number Two Receiver: After missing his rookie season due to a shin injury, Kevin White is finally on the field and he has looked good thus far in camp. White is an explosive, big play receiver that could be a great compliment to Alston Jeffery. White could be a breakout star this season, especially if he develops a rapport with Jay Cutler early.

4. Get More Out of the Tight End Position: The decision to trade former Pro Bowl Martellus Bennett to the New England Patriots this offseason was a head scratcher, especially when you consider he had 90 catches just two seasons ago. Part of the reason the Bears traded Bennett was the emergence of Zach Miller. Miller played well during Bennett’s absence last season and developed a rapport with quarterback Jay Cutler.

That rapport with Cutler gave  general manager Ryan Pace enough confidence in the young tight end to pay him starter money.

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5. Make Sure Jay Cutler Doesn’t Regress: Jay Cutler had a great season in 2015 under offensive coordinator Adam Gase. Gase left to take the Miami Dolphins job so the Bears promoted quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains to offensive coordinator. Loggains and Cutler have a good rapport and a good working relationship. The Bears are hoping that relationship will help Cutler build off of last season.

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