The Chicago Bears are only as strong as the depth of their roster. However, everybody knows that it’s often a handful of people who can decide the outcome for a season. For better or worse. When thinking about this question for this team? It’s so easy to sum it up in one word.
Quarterbacks.
That position has defined this franchise for so long. Too often in the wrong ways. That said, it feels like the true weight of the 2021 season may actually come down to three other people. Those who hold great importance in terms of their duties and are surrounded by question marks regarding whether they can do them.
Here are the three who stand out the most. All of them for different reasons.
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These three Chicago Bears need to step up for a successful 2021
Teven Jenkins
Outside of the quarterback position, none is more important on offense than the left tackle. They guard the blindside. If they’re unreliable, the QB is going to take some rough hits. After sticking with Charles Leno Jr. since 2015, the Bears made the bold decision to move on. In his place will be 2nd round rookie Jenkins. From a talent perspective, he has the necessary traits to be a future success.
That said, rookies tend to struggle at times, regardless of position. Tossing Jenkins out there to face the best pass rushers in the NFL is a dangerous gamble. Especially if the team gets too pass-happy as they’ve tended to in the past. If Jenkins crumbles, everything becomes harder for the offense.
Robert Quinn
Having Khalil Mack remains a constant benefit for the Chicago Bears defense. The problem is the team has routinely been unable to find somebody who can be a viable #2 pass rusher opposite him. Leonard Floyd never managed to deliver on that opportunity in his two years playing with Mack. That is why the team signed Robert Quinn for $70 million last offseason.
What they got was two sacks in exchange. That isn’t going to cut it. Mack is great but he’s still just one man. This defense sorely needs Quinn to rebound this year if they are going to handle the slew of strong offensive opponents they will face in 2021. Especially with a secondary that just lost its best cornerback.
Matt Nagy
There are a variety of reasons why Nagy could make or break the Bears this year. For one, he made it known that he will resume play calling on offense. Something that a lot of people aren’t thrilled about after his underwhelming run through his first two and a half seasons. Given the questions about his play calling inconsistencies and personnel usage? The unease is understandable.
Then there is the other part. His handling of the quarterback situation. Like last year he has two QBs to choose from, only they’re different this time in Andy Dalton and Justin Fields. Can Nagy get more out of them than he did Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles? He better hope so. How they perform this year could determine the fate of his job. Not just the season.