Chicago Bears: 5 Reasons why they are Super Bowl contenders
2. The wide receivers unit is better
It’s hard to imagine that the Chicago Bears had the worst wide receivers corps in the NFL. If you look at the unit today, they could be the most athletic and best unit in the league. Okay, maybe it’s harder to imagine the second statement, considering their history of wide receivers.
After the Bears revamped the unit after the 2017 season, they performed better in 2018. They went from bottom dwellers to the middle of the road. The jump wasn’t good enough, however. The Bears tweaked the wide receivers roster a little to get better.
Part of the reason the receivers didn’t do a better job last season was that everyone was learning the new system. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was playing in his third system in three seasons. In addition, the big free-agent signing, Allen Robinson, was rehabbing from a knee injury and hadn’t played since Week 1 in 2017.
Some people were disappointed with Robinson’s 754 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. As we know, however, coming back from an ACL injury requires two seasons after surgery. The first season is to get it back to working like it’s supposed to work. He had a groin injury likely a result of adjusting to the knee.
It’s in the second season where there is no concern. Robinson can freely run and do what he previously did. Additionally, he didn’t have to do any rehabbing this offseason so he was able to concentrate on the playbook and working with Trubisky. You could see last season how the two were just off. There were a few long passes that, if completed, would have added more points on the board. Those passes should be completed this season.
We saw a glimpse of what a fully healthy Robinson on the field looks like. He saved his best game for the playoffs. Against the Eagles, he made 10 catches (on 13 targets) for 143 yards and a touchdown. That’s the player everyone expected to see when he signed with Chicago. I think that’s the player we’ll see in 2019.
I expect Anthony Miller to have a monster season as well. He had a very good rookie season despite dealing with a shoulder injury. While dealing with his injury, he managed to grab 54 catches for 423 yards and a great seven touchdowns. After another season learning the playbook and not dealing with an injury, he should have an even better 2019 season.
The receiver I’m looking forward to seeing is Riley Ridley. This guy could end up being the number two receiver on the roster. He has an incredible ability to twist his body and make impossible catches. He is similar to Alshon Jeffery. He runs great routes and just outworks the defender on contested plays.
Add in Patterson, Taylor Gabriel, Marvin and Emanuel Hall, and Javon Wims, and this looks like a very strong unit, especially when nearly all of them have a better grasp of the system and their roles in it. This is one exciting receivers group.