All eyes will be on the Chicago Bears offense this season. That is only natural. They have a young quarterback in Justin Fields hoping to take the next step. Luke Getsy came down from Green Bay to help him as offensive coordinator. The wide receiving corps features new faces like Byron Pringle and Velus Jones. The defense has carried this team for so long that fans almost take it for granted that the unit won’t outright suck.
Expectations for the 2022 version are somewhat murky. There are still some really good players on the depth chart, including Jaylon Johnson, Roquan Smith, and Robert Quinn. At the same time, some longtime pillars are gone. This leaves behind lots of uncertainty. That said, there are reasons to watch even now. Here are some bold predictions on what could happen in the coming months.
The new Chicago Bears defense will feature some surprises.
Justin Jones has more sacks than Larry Ogunjobi this season.
Signing Ogunjobi was supposed to be the big move of the offseason for the new Chicago Bears brass. Instead, it turned into a nightmare when the veteran failed his team physical due to his surgically repaired foot. They were forced to rescind the contract offer and pivot to signing Jones. It wasn’t how they wanted things to go, but they were prepared to make the most of it. Jones delivered a career-high three sacks in 2021. People will be even more shocked when he doubles that number this season, topping Ogunjobi. For far less money than they would’ve ended up paying too.
Trevis Gipson cracks the 10-sack barrier.
Losing Khalil Mack was tough for the Bears. He was their unquestioned leader and best player since his arrival in 2018. Sadly a dip in production and growing health concerns made it difficult to justify his hefty contract. The new regime got a good offer from Los Angeles for his services and took it. However, that wasn’t the only reason they felt comfortable making the move. They also knew Gipson was coming off a second season where he collected seven sacks. He has all the hallmarks of an ascending talent. Now he will play in a defensive scheme that fits him better. Allowed to attack more than ever, expect him to reach the double-digit sack milestone.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Kyler Gordon leads the team in interceptions.
Leading a team in interceptions is never easy for a defensive back. It can often be even harder for a rookie. It’s often reserved for special company. Kyle Fuller did it in 2014. Charles Tillman did it in 2003. Both of them ended up becoming outstanding members of the Bears defense. It remains to be seen how good Gordon will be, but he will at least join that rare brotherhood when he emerges atop the stat sheets for picks this season. He’s already demonstrating a nose for the football in practice. With Jaylon Johnson likely to deter quarterbacks from throwing in his direction, they’ll opt to pick on the rookie. That will lead to greater opportunities for plunder.
Robert Quinn gets traded at the deadline.
It’s incredible to think about. Quinn broke the Chicago Bears’ single-season record for sacks with 18 in 2021. One would think the organization would be clamoring to keep him around. This serves as a reminder that it’s a business at the end of the day. Quinn is 32-years-old, and the team is rebuilding. The market for good pass rushers is always strong. Depending on how the first two months of the season unfold for Chicago, they may look to accumulate draft picks for 2023. There are almost sure to be teams interested in landing the defensive end, and they will likely pay the price close to what Ryan Poles wants.
