The Chicago Bears have one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. They’ve proved that over the first three weeks of the season. Not only does the group have 3.5 sacks including several pressures through the first three games, but they’ve been a big part of a strong run defense that dominated the first two weeks. Unfortunately, a rough afternoon in Cleveland saw them worn down by the Browns. This should not discount how good they’ve been.
The craziest part in all of this? They’ve been playing understrength the entire time. Those first two games of the season didn’t have Mario Edwards Jr., one of their best rotational pass rushers. He is now back. Yet the far bigger piece that has been missing is nose tackle Eddie Goldman. He hasn’t played an NFL game since the end of 2019. After sitting out due to COVID-19 and then battling a knee injury to start this season, he is finally ready to make his debut.
#Bears Friday injury report: pic.twitter.com/9DkaPwTCR7
— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) October 1, 2021
This is a boon for the Bears.
Goldman was one of the best run-stopping nose tackles in the NFL at the time of his sabbatical. If he plays up to that level moving forward, Chicago’s run defense just got a lot better. It also allowed defensive coordinator Sean Desai to fully implement his style of scheme. One that features lighter boxes to stop the run, permitting the Bears to implement more two-high safety looks. This leads to more creative and diverse coverages.
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It also allows Akiem Hicks and Bilal Nichols to play exclusively at their defensive end spots. With Goldman likely to demand double teams, that gives each of them along with Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn more opportunities at single blocks. Given how well they’ve played lately? That is a terrifying thought for opponents.
Eddie Goldman man 😳💪 pic.twitter.com/Hdc94CPkWZ
— Olin kreutz (@olin_kreutz) October 1, 2019
Chicago Bears defense may have to carry the load again
The fact is their offense is (again) a complete mess. Those veteran stars have gotten a full taste of what previous generations of great defense had to deal with for so many years. The Urlacher-Briggs-Tillman era. Even the 1980s teams ran into that issue during the latter part of the decade. Good offense is like a unicorn to this organization. A great defense having to carry it is basically an annual occurrence.
Is this 2021 version capable of doing that? The group still has plenty of talent. Mack, Hicks, and Quinn are still dynamic. Roquan Smith and Jaylon Johnson are emerging as budding stars as well. The problem is there are some notable holes in their battle line. Specifically in the second. Kindle Vildor and Duke Shelley haven’t been overly good at cornerback. Eddie Jackson continues to play disappointing football at safety.
Then there is the schedule.
After Detroit, the Chicago Bears play four of the best offenses in the NFL this season. In a row. Shutting down Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Kyle Shanahan? That just isn’t going to happen. Still, having Goldman is a big help. It might at least allow them to keep these games close. Who knows. Maybe the offense finally stops being terrible at some point.
