Chicago Bears bold predictions haven’t had the best luck the past few years. At least the positive ones haven’t. Yet this feels like a year where that could be different. They’ve got one of the youngest and more intriguing rosters in the NFL. That’s supported by a new coaching staff loaded with a perfect blend of young football nerds and old teachers. So what should fans be expecting as 2018 prepares to kick off in a few months?
Here are some things to watch out for.
Mitch Trubisky becomes first Bears QB to top 4,000 yards passing
No Bears quarterback has ever topped 4,000 yards passing. Let that sink in. The first time a QB threw for over 4,000 was back in 1967. Joe Namath holds that honor. Since then it’s happened another 162 times through this past season. Not once has a Bears quarterback done that. The closest one came was in 1995 when Erik Kramer set the franchise record with 3,838 yards. Jay Cutler likely would’ve done it in 2014 if he hadn’t been benched for a game. He finished with 3,812.
At long last, expect this embarrassing mark to finally fall. Mitch Trubisky will become the first in franchise history to go over 4,000 thanks to his new coaching staff and revamped receiving corp.
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Jordan Howard scores 15 rushing touchdowns
Ready for a surprising admission. The NFL record for rushing touchdowns in a season is 28, set by LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006. In league history, a total of 58 players have scored 15 or more in a year. This includes names like LenDale White of all people. Meanwhile, the Bears single-season record has sat undisturbed at 14, held in tandem by greats Walter Payton and Gale Sayers. Expect that to be the next mark Jordan Howard conquers.
A big reason why is he has a huge advantage coming his way. This may be the best passing offense the Bears have fielded since 2013 and Howard is a far better red zone runner than Matt Forte was, who scored nine TDs that year. Expect Howard to hit 15 by the season finale.
Kevin White plays a full season and makes game-winning TD catch
Five games. That’s the extent of Kevin White’s NFL experience so far. Two broken legs and a fractured shoulder blade have robbed him of the past three years. Most have already given up hope that the former first round pick can amount to anything. Yet he continues his battle to reach that potential. Perhaps now with fewer responsibilities and less pressure thanks to the Bears’ additions at receiver, he can relax and just play.
Not only will White go the entire year without major injury, he’ll also re-emerge into the spotlight at some point this season to deliver Chicago a game-clinching touchdown catch.
Leonard Floyd has 12 sacks including four in one game
A lot of the expectations for the Bears pass rush in 2018 has been shoved onto the back of Leonard Floyd. A side effect of their inability to add a credible presence across from him. Maybe Aaron Lynch or Kyle Fitts surprise but that feels unlikely. Floyd has to deliver this year. He’s been close the past two seasons but injuries and lack of discipline have continued to hamper his progress.
This year he’ll finally deliver with a breakout 12-sack campaign. Not only that, but he’ll also have his first signature game as a Bear where he’ll notch a third of those sacks in one afternoon.
Roquan Smith will lead the entire defense in tackles
Tackles are a somewhat dodgy statistic given they can be easily inflated by people at times. Still, it’s proven reliable for inside linebackers over the years. It’s rare for rookies at that position to lead their teams right out of the gate. Can anybody guess the last time it happened in Chicago? That’s right. It was Brian Urlacher in 2000 with 125 tackles. Enough to win him Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Roquan Smith is the first inside linebacker they’ve drafted in the first round since Urlacher. He couldn’t possibly have a similar immediate impact, right? Wrong. He will end up leading the team in tackles by the time the season concludes.
Eddie Jackson snags six interceptions
His rookie year was quite promising of what’s to come. Eddie Jackson may have been a fourth round pick but he has first round skills. His mixture of athleticism and ball skills show up constantly. Now that he’s properly installed in the Vic Fangio offense, it’s fair to expect big things from him. So here’s an interesting nugget. No Bears safety has topped five interceptions in a season in the new millennium.
None has done it for the past 28 years in fact when Mark Carrier had 10 in 1990. Mike Brown and Chris Harris each had five in 2001 and 2010 respectively. Jackson will become the first to break that barrier with six in 2018.
Bears double their win total from 2018
The last time the Bears had double-digit wins in a season was 2012. It’s hard to believe how long it’s been. So long that not a single member of that roster is on the one that prepares to take the field this year. They went 10-6 that season but missed the playoffs. It’s unknown if the Bears can make it to the postseason this year with such a loaded conference to navigate. Still, they will accomplish that first goal.
Nobody believes Chicago is an NFC threat. That’s normal after four-straight years of losing. Experts never see the first winning season coming, just like with the Rams last year. Expect this group to double the win total from last year.
