The Chicago Bears had a disappointing 2013 season, finishing at 8-8 with their starting quarterback, Jay Cutler out for much of the season. In an ultra-competitive NFC North, the Bears will look to avenge their second-place finish to the Green Bay Packers this year.
With one key departure and a few new additions, this Bears team will look to improve on its unusually weak defense, which ranked 30th in the league last year. Rest assured, the Bears will come into 2014 with an attitude unlike in years past. However there are many questions left answered, so let’s check them out.
1. Will the defensive line be better or worse without Julius Peppers?
Peppers played a huge role on the Bears defense for four years, but the team cut him to make room for more contracts this offseason. Even worse, the rival Packers signed Peppers to rush at Cutler and company twice a year.
Peppers totaled 37.5 sacks and 175 tackles in his time in Chicago and made the pass rush exponentially better. However, the Bears signed Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston and Willie Young to give depth to the line that Peppers left.
With these three on the defensive line, the pass rush shouldn’t experience too much off a drop from its already league-worst total of 31 sacks from last year. The rush defense, however, could improve with Allen, Houston and Young in the fold.
Each player comes from a Top 16 rush defense last year and will provide depth to a huge hole on this Bears team. However, the loss of Henry Melton will also hurt the line.
2. Will Jay Cutler play like an elite quarterback this season?
Cutler definitely has the skills to become one of the best quarterbacks in the league. However, in his five years at the helm for the Bears, he hasn’t put in a full season a strong work.
In his time in Chicago, Cutler has averaged 20.2 touchdowns and 15 interceptions per season. Tnese aren’t number of an elite quarterback and certainly aren’t numbers that will bring his team to the playoffs.
This year, Cutler has no pressure from back-up Josh McCown and a duo of wide receivers unlike any other in the league. With Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery on the field at the same time, Cutler should have one of the easier jobs, throwing to a combo that totaled more than 2,700 receiving yards last season.
The Bears will look to Cutler to lead them back to the playoffs, and if he fails, it could mean the end of his time in Chicago.
3. Who will be the back-up quarterback and running back?
Two of the best position battles this preseason will take place at running back and quarterback. With Josh McCown gone and no reliable replacement for Matt Forte, the Bears have some big decisions to make.
The quarterback battle seems to be between Jordan Palmer and Jimmy Clausen, two quarterbacks who have little to no experience passing the football in the NFL.
Clausen hasn’t been on an NFL team since his rookie year in 2010, when he threw three touchdowns and nine interceptions. Palmer, however, has thrown 15 passes in two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. Thus, the newly-drafted David Fales is gaining ground.
At running back, Ka’Deem Carey and Michael Ford are the clear frontrunners, but neither has moved ahead of the other. Ford didn’t carry the ball last year as an undrafted rookie, and Carey obviously will be working with a new offense.
Both backs are of the same stature, but one will have to stand over the next few weeks. My guess is Carey, but time will tell.