Eddie Goldman had not played a professional football game since December 29th of 2019. Over a year and a half. In that time he took the 2020 season off due to COVID-19, didn’t return to the team officially until the start of 2021 training camp, contracted COVID-19, and then tweaked his back when he returned again. People weren’t sure if the player they remembered would ever truly be back.
Then in about 10 snaps on a Saturday night in Nashville, the nose tackle reminded everybody just how good he is. It was incredibly impressive. The Tennessee Titans ran the ball six times with Goldman on the field. Twice he collected stops at or near the line of scrimmage for minimal gains. His ability to control blockers and rarely get moved off his spot was vintage stuff. It was like he was never gone.
Stand up the double, and the second the C comes off, toss the RG into the back. Wow Eddie Goldman (91). pic.twitter.com/t4ZNCVyjVa
— Josh Cohen (@JCohen_NFL) August 30, 2021
That ⬆️ was the first play of the game. Here's play 2. Eddie Goldman (91) came to play. pic.twitter.com/CvRAnBGwUm
— Josh Cohen (@JCohen_NFL) August 30, 2021
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This is exactly what the Bears defense was missing last season.
People didn’t gain a full appreciation of Goldman until he was gone. In the three seasons prior to his absence in 2020, the Bears ranked 11th, 1st, and 9th against the run. After he disappeared from the picture, they plummeted to 15th. At one point they allowed at least 100 yards on the ground in seven of their first eight games. This is likely a big part of why their pass rush was never able to get going.
That has a chance to change in 2021. With Goldman and Akiem Hicks back in the middle, they should be able to squeeze opposing running lanes. Especially with Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan cleaning up at inside linebacker. If this group does their job, it will open up more opportunities for Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn, and an intriguing group of pass rushers to go hunting.
Eddie Goldman will be needed in a big way
The Bears won’t be easing into their schedule when it comes to capable rushing attacks. They get Sean McVay’s system in Week 1, Joe Mixon and the Bengals in Week 2, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in Week 3, and then Josh Jacobs with the Raiders in Week 5. Not exactly a welcoming slate to open with. This is where having such a strong defensive front can prove so crucial for Chicago.
Even last season there were still signs they could shut good run games down. They did it to Tennessee and Green Bay. Now with Eddie Goldman back, a critical gear for the machine is back in place. With him clogging up the middle, opponents will have to seek space to the edge. That could prove problematic as Mack is almost as good of a run defender as he is a pass rusher. To say nothing of the range Smith and Trevathan have.
This defense may have question marks with their coverage.
With Goldman back, they likely won’t have to worry about slowing down the running game. It will be interesting to see what new defensive coordinator Sean Desai has in store for this group. Through three preseason games, the run defense held up well. Another welcoming sign. If he can figure out the coverage issues? This defense has a chance to once again rank among the NFL’s best.
