There is a strong possibility that Ryan Pace won’t be the GM for much longer in Chicago. That is a shame because it seems like the guy may have had one of his best drafts back in 2020. Even as Matt Nagy and his coaching staff continue to prove they’re inadequate at their jobs, fans are seeing multiple members from that class improve with each passing week. It hasn’t been perfect, but there is enough evidence to suggest the Bears got multiple starters.
What makes this all the more impressive is they managed to do it without a 1st round pick. That going to Las Vegas for the Khalil Mack trade. Yet in spite of everything the numbers are telling an optimistic story.
- Cole Kmet – 56 catches for 564 yards
- Jaylon Johnson – Best CB on the team by a wide margin
- Trevis Gipson – 6.5 sacks
- Darnell Mooney – 69 catches for 929 yards and 4 TDs
Kmet might not be on the level of a Travis Kelce or George Kittle but he is rounding into a solid NFL tight end. One with the versatility to block and still be a threat in the passing game. Johnson is one of the best young corners in the NFL. Mooney has become the best wide receiver on the team and should be one of the better #2 receivers in the league. Especially if they can find a true #1 to pair him with.
That leaves Gipson who has quietly emerged over the past couple of months. After no sacks in his first 19 games as a pro, the 5th round pick now has 6.5 in the previous 13. That includes 4.5 in the past four games. He is getting better and better with each passing week.
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Another good sign for the future of the Bears’ defense.
Chicago Bears might be set up for a bright future
The 2020 class has delivered three starters for the team and a solid rotational pass rusher. That is more than anybody could’ve asked given the lack of ammunition they had. Now if the 2021 class can take a big step next year headlined by Justin Fields, this team might not be facing as long of a rebuild as many people think. It comes down to whether the next coaching staff is more capable than the current one. Especially on the offensive side.
That said, there is a lot of work to do. The Chicago Bears have several free agents who are set to leave. They will either need to be retained or replaced. Most likely the latter presuming a new regime steps in. Fields needs more weapons than just Mooney at wide receiver. Better blocking up front. Help at cornerback and defensive line too. The odds of plugging every hole with no 1st round pick again this offseason is unlikely.
So they will have to prioritize.
Having the 2020 draft class improve as it has does ease some fears though. It looks as if the Bears got some legitimate players from that group. Maybe no stars but certainly a handful of young building blocks they can work with. That is what makes a successful draft in the end. Finding quality contributors.
