At this time last season, the Chicago Bears were sorting through their options at multiple positions, not the least of which was wide receiver.
They even made a mid-season trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for Chase Claypool to address the issue but he – like many of his new teammates – took some time to get acclimated with the playbook and had an injury disrupt his progress.
This offseason, they traded for D.J. Moore and drafted Tyler Scott at wide receiver, and added Robert Tonyan in free agency. This new group of weapons not only bolsters the Bears’ arsenal around third-year quarterback Justin Fields in their own right but they also allow everyone else to slot into more advantageous positions.
The early results are palpable.
Luke Getsy: Bears’ Additions ‘Valuable’ to Offense
Bears ‘Still Figuring Out’ New Weapons
“It’s nice to be able to spread the ball around, get guys in different spots, move them all over the field,” Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said after practice on August 2. “We’re still figuring out what every single person can do.”
In addition to Claypool, Moore, and Tonyan – who is built more like a big wide receiver than a tight end – the Bears also bring back a healthy Darnell Mooney and a properly-slotted Equanimeous St. Brown at wideout.
They also have D’Onta Foreman taking reps at running back with incumbent Khalil Herbert.
Each piece looks and fits differently but the Bears are out to change that as much as possible in camp.
“We want guys to be able to do as much as we can,” said Getsy. “So we don’t want guys getting stuck in one spot, and the defense being able to play to that. That’s very valuable to us to be able to do that. And it’s important that we have more than one person who can do just about every job.”
Bears’ Breakout Depends on ‘Valuable’ Additions Paying Off
Fields is a polarizing figure right now with opinions slit between his being underrated and overrated based on last year’s run-heavy production. But the Bears’ offensive additions were geared toward shifting that balance.
That much seems apparent in camp where the dynamic Fields has seldom made use of his legs so far, often extending plays long past their expiration to find one of his many options.
The Bears’ ceiling almost certainly depends on his development as a pure passer.
Bears Boast ‘Next Superstar’ at NFL’s Most Critical Position, Analyst Says
They should not abandon playing to his strengths as a rusher completely. But the new parts have to mesh with the old parts and vice versa. In other words, all of the pieces of the puzzle have to come together, and Fields’ rushing ability could very well be his greatest asset as a passer since opposing defenses will never be able to ignore him in the backfield completely.
Defense Seizes the Day
While the focus will remain on the offense, and rightfully so, a much-maligned Bears defense has been feisty and active with just over one week to go until the first preseason game.
Wednesday’s practice featured interceptions by Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon, and rookie Terrell Smith who has been rotating with fellow rookie Tyrique Stevenson at outside cornerback. It also saw several players make it into the offensive backfield.
The Bears were without free agent pickup Nate Davis and 2021 second-round pick Teven Jenkins on Wednesday. The latter walked off the field under his own power early in practice and never returned. But the defense’s energy was so strong that both Fields and Mooney made note of it after practice.
Both also said it’s important for the offense to bring that same sort of fire.
That can be tough to do when the defense has its way as it did on Wednesday. But no one who spoke – from Getsy to Fields to Mooney – seemed the least bit concerned. Not yet, at least.
Main Photo: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
