5 Reasons the Chicago Bears can win Super Bowl 54
2. Khalil Mack and the elite defense
The Chicago Bears defense was elite last season. The unit led the NFL in points allowed, turnovers, first downs allowed, interceptions, and rushing yards and rushing touchdowns allowed. They helped lead the Bears to their 12-4 record.
As I mentioned, with Fangio’s departure, many people don’t see the defense repeating this season. They underestimate the value of Pagano and they underestimate the resolve of the players to continue to play great.
Mack is the engine that runs the defense. When he came to Chicago, everything changed. He took the leadership role and played so hard his teammates had to follow. In 2019, he isn’t resting on his laurels. He worked harder this offseason than in other seasons because of A. He wants to prove that last season wasn’t a fluke for either him or the defensive unit and B. He wants to be the best defender who ever played.
Remember, he played last season without any offseason work. He was locked in a battle with Jon Gruden and the Oakland Raiders front office over a new contract. The Raiders traded him and the Bears signed him to a huge extension about a week before the season started. Despite that, he finished the season with 12.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception returned for a touchdown.
Perhaps because of not being in the best shape possible, he missed two games because of injury. A full offseason hopefully has him playing every game and causing opposing quarterbacks a lot of headaches.
Akiem Hicks is another one who wants to show the NFL that his season wasn’t a fluke, either. We in Chicago know how well he’s played the last three seasons, and now the NFL world gets to see it.
Cornerback Buster Skrine and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix replaced Bryce Callahan and Adrian Amos, respectively. Both are looking to change the narratives of their play. Skrine has committed way too many penalties and got burned too many times because of his aggressive play. He wants to show he can contribute to an elite defense.
Clinton-Dix somehow has the tag of being on a downside even though he’s played well. He had 93 tackles and three interceptions last season, yet many consider that a down season. He received an offer to stay in Washington but chose to take a one-year, $3.6 million “prove it” deal with the Bears.
He also reunites with college teammate Eddie Jackson. With 22 career interceptions between the two, it’ll be difficult for opposing teams to avoid committing turnovers against this defense in 2019.
This is a defense that is hungry to build on 2018’s success. Instead of looking to be the best in 2019, this defense looks to be on the all-time list of greatness. That is something most of the experts don’t understand.