The Chicago Bears are like any other team. If they’re going to make a run at the playoffs, they need their stars to play like stars. Guys like Khalil Mack, Eddie Jackson, and Akiem Hicks can’t afford to have down seasons like they did last year. Other guys with star-caliber skills must step up as well. Names like David Montgomery, Bilal Nichols, Jaylon Johnson, and James Daniels have flirted with that upper-tier but haven’t yet reached it.

Then there are the unexpected names. Those that people seem to have forgotten about for one reason or another. Either due to being out for a long time due to injury or failing to stand out last season. This inevitably breeds low expectations. If they were no good to the Bears last year, why should we expect them to do any better in 2021?

As always, circumstances play a big part in such things. Are there any names that fans would be wise to watch carefully this year? Here is a few worth circling.

Chicago Bears could get major help from three key names

Tarik Cohen

Not too long ago, Cohen was widely considered one of the best scat running backs in the NFL. A versatile nightmare with speed and quickness who could double as a runner and wide receiver. He was electric in 2018 with over 1100 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns. Since then? It’s been frustrating. He wasn’t nearly the same player in 2019 due to a variety of reasons, some of it his own doing and some out of his control. Then last year he tore his ACL.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKJRV5WHkj0&ab_channel=SportsProductions

This time around, expect him to regain a lot of that old magic. Why? The arrival of Andy Dalton is going to be a big help. One thing about the veteran quarterback is he loves to use those pass-catching running backs a lot. Giovani Bernard had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in his first three seasons with Dalton in Cincinnati. Last year Tony Pollard had just 68 yards with Dak Prescott through the first four games. Over the final seven when Dalton was the starter? He had 344 with four touchdowns. Cohen figures to be used a lot this year.

Cole Kmet

Is it possible to be already forgotten despite being the first pick of an entire draft class? That looks like the case for Kmet. When referencing the 2020 draft, the two names getting most of the talk are Jaylon Johnson and Darnell Mooney. Granted, they had the flashier seasons last year. Johnson had 15 passes defended. Mooney broke the rookie record for receptions with 61. Was Kmet really that bad? No. No, he was not.

In fact, the former Notre Dame tight end showed marked progress in all facets of his game over the course of the season. His blocking was probably the best on the entire team. As for his receiving? The modest numbers don’t tell the entire story. Through his first 11 games, Kmet had just eight catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. However, over the final six games, he had 23 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown. It was a definite sign of progress. Tight ends tend to make big jumps in their second years anyway. See George Kittle, Rob Gronkowski, and Jason Witten for examples.

Tre Roberson

Losing Kyle Fuller and Buster Skrine was difficult for the Chicago Bears defense. Even so, while some see danger, others will see opportunity. There are two starting spots up for grabs at cornerback. Desmond Trufant was signed as a free agent but only for the minimum. So he’s guaranteed nothing. It’s a perfect situation for somebody unexpected to emerge. This is where Roberson comes in.

There was a lot of hype around him last offseason. The Bears spent a lot of money to lure him from the CFL. It was hoped he’d compete for a starting spot. The guy proved himself to be a ballhawk up north, snatching seven interceptions in 2019. He displayed the size and athleticism necessary to start in the NFL. Sadly a broken foot derailed his first attempt. Roberson is healthy now and has an even clearer path onto the roster than before. Don’t be surprised to hear his name come up this summer.