Chicago Bears: Analyzing the first quarter of the 2018 season
The trade that changed everything
That Khalil Mack trade was one of those franchise-changing experiences. The defense was a top-ten unit in 2017 and hoped to become a top-five unit in 2018. With Mack, however, they look like the best defensive unit in the NFL. If Kevin Toliver continues to play well, then this unit becomes scary good.
In the offseason, the Bears did everything to try to plug up their holes. The one area where they didn’t really do much was getting a pass rusher opposite of Leonard Floyd. They signed Aaron Lynch, but he had a history of injuries. That history came up when he missed training camp and the preseason dealing with injuries.
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Then, a week before the season started, the Bears pulled the trigger on the megadeal and got Mack to Chicago. They then re-signed him to a huge contract making him the highest-paid defender, keeping him in Chicago for a long time.
Having Mack frees up Akiem Hicks. Hicks has been great since coming to Chicago, but he’s faced a lot of double teams and has worn out late in the season. Now, though, Mack gets a lot of attention. This season, Hicks has 11 tackles, three sacks, and six quarterback hits. WIth Mack, he’s free to obliterate one-on-one situations.
Mack’s play on the field also helps Lynch. As I mentioned, he was supposed to be the pass rusher to go along with Floyd. That was a tenuous situation since you can’t depend on him shouldering the load and not getting injured. Now, however, he doesn’t have to do that. He plays in a rotation and has fewer snaps. That keeps him fresher and injury-free (so far). He can wreak havoc in a supporting role, giving the Bears much-needed depth.
Mack is having a great season So great, in fact, that some feel he could be the MVP. I’m not sure about that since that award almost always goes to an offensive player, but he is the leader for the Defensive Player of the Year. He has 17 tackles, 5 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, an interception run for a touchdown, and four consecutive weeks with a sack and forced fumble.
To borrow Jarvis Landry‘s famous word, Mack’s elevated play is contagious. His teammates see how hard he plays and they follow suit. Mack is the leader of this unit and he’s leading what could be an elite defense for years.