The Chicago Bears defense in 2018 was called one of the four best of the decade. Not a big surprise considering what they accomplished. A prodigious 36 takeaways. Dropping quarterbacks for 50 sacks. The #1 run defense in the league and at the heart of it all, just 283 total points surrendered. Good for 17.68 per game. By modern standards, that is about as dominant as it gets. Alex Brown? He believes that was just the prelude.
For two years the former Bears defensive end was pleading with the team. Calling on them to fix what he felt was a critical flaw on an otherwise superb defensive lineup. They had to find somebody who could rush the passer opposite Khalil Mack. Leonard Floyd was not that guy. A good kid and talented athlete. He just didn’t have the killer instinct of a true QB hunter.
So when the team added Robert Quinn, fresh off his 11.5 sacks in 2019 for Dallas? Brown’s expectations for this defense soared. He told Kap & Company on ESPN 1000 exactly how high they are.
“This defense right here can be as stingy as people thought they were. I’m talking 13-14 points a game, but now that’s going to come from discipline. Now you can’t give up the big play. I think they have what it takes because they can get pressure without having to blitz. When you can get pressure with that front four? Man, it just frees up those guys on the back end so much.
So I love the defense. The team? We’ll figure out. We’ll figure out what we’re going to do on offense. If we allow the defense to lead this football team, I think there’s a high probability they’re playing in January.”
Alex Brown says this defense will be special if healthy
As with most things in football, Brown knows a lot of these expectations are dependent on good health. Injuries played a role in the defense under-performing last season. Akiem Hicks, Danny Trevathan, and Roquan Smith all ended up on injured reserve. Prince Amukamara and Khalil Mack were also nicked up at times. So the Bears will need their core guys to stay on the field and at least be close to 100% most of the way.
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They also will need some guys to step up. Amukamara was released this offseason. That opens a void at cornerback opposite Kyle Fuller that need plugging. Kevin Toliver hopes to step in and fill it. He’ll battle rookie 2nd round pick Jaylon Johnson for the honor. Then there is the safety spot next to Eddie Jackson. Can Tashaun Gipson improve on what Ha Ha Clinton-Dix tried to do last year?
Answering those questions falls to the coaching staff. A challenge defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano seems ready to take on. This season will be fun to watch.