The Chicago Bears squad of 2012 featuring the likes of Jay Cutler, Matt Forte and Brandon Marshall ranked a dismal 28th in total offense. That just shouldn’t happen.
In the realm of fantasy football, these three produced in ways that Bears management wished they had done on the actual NFL gridiron—well, at least everyone but Cutler.
Marshall led Chicago with an impressive 1,508 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Such production placed him at No. 3 among fantasy wide receivers with 234.20 points. Forte, meanwhile, wasn’t quite as prolific but still managed quality numbers. He used his multi-faceted talents to record 1,094 rushing yards, 340 receiving yards and six total touchdowns. He rated out as the No. 13 overall running back with 182.90 points.
The onus thus lands on Cutler to improve upon his subpar 3,033-yard, 19-TD and 14-interception performance. Possessing all-world abilities, yet totaling all of 198.64 yards just won’t cut it. Cutler has no business holding down the No. 25 slot among fantasy QBs.
With little offensive weaponry added over the offseason, let’s see how these three and another potential key member of the Bears offense will fair in the 2013 fantasy season.
Jay Cutler, Quarterback
Cutler’s 19 touchdown passes were the lowest of his career over a full season (15-plus games). His 58.8 completion percentage, total passing yards, 6.99 yards per completion and 81.3 passer rating all essentially graded out as season lows. Only his 14 picks were commensurate with a career-best mark—four lost fumbles notwithstanding.
To his credit, Cutler’s offensive line surrendered 44 sacks last year, the eighth-most in the NFL. Cutler himself endured 38 of them. Right tackle Gabe Carimi had a miserable 2012 campaign with seven sacks allowed. Left tackle J’Marcus Webb didn’t fair any better with seven QB takedowns given up himself.
Thankfully, Webb moved over to RT while Jermon Bushrod came over from New Orleans as an upgrade at LT. The Bears also drafted Kyle Long as an improvement at left guard. These additions should be sufficient in keeping their QB upright a bit more this year.
Unfortunately, outside of Marshall, the same lackluster receiving corps returns in 2013. Cutler may have more time in which to locate his targets. They just still won’t be worth throwing to.
Expect another sub-4,000 yard season and lowly TD total from Cutler. He is nowhere near a QB1 option and should only be used as a bye-week pickup.
Projected Statistics: 3,300 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, 13 interceptions
Brandon Marshall, Wide Receiver
Marshall and Cutler have always been a formidable duo since their days with the Denver Broncos. They have hooked up for four 1,000-yard and 100-catch campaigns and 36 touchdowns. They produced their best season to date with over 1,500 yards and 11 scores while donning Bears uniforms last year.
Despite being every bit elite, Marshall cannot possibly duplicate such tremendous numbers with Alshon Jeffery, Earl Bennett and Devin Hester still making up the supporting receiving cast. Opposing defenses will devise coverage schemes that mitigate Marshall’s effectiveness, even with his double-team beating prowess.
Forte and Michael Bush will certainly help set up play action opportunities. It just won’t be enough.
No. 15 will surpass the 1,000-yard plateau and remains in the WR1 fantasy echelon. We would just recommend that you employ some hesitance before drafting him with one of your top picks.
Projected Statistics: 98 receptions, 1,200 yards, eight touchdowns
Martellus Bennett, Tight End
Make your acquaintance with one notoriously underachieving tight end.
Bennett possesses immense physical gifts at 6’6’’ and 265 pounds. He moves his massive frame down the field at 4.68 speed as well. He even posted career-highs as a New York Giant in 2012 with 55 catches, 626 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Harking back to the original point, though, such numbers scream aberration, one-hit wonder, never to be produced again, etc. Bennett had gone three full seasons with the pass-friendly Cowboys without a single TD or season with more than 260 yards.
He may very well piggyback off his career-year with another solid output in 2013. He and Cutler might even develop a decent rapport.
Just don’t hold your breath. These are two major hotheads with severe attitude problems. Bennett is an emergency bye-week fantasy pickup at best.
Projected Statistics: 25 catches, 300 yards, two touchdowns
Matt Forte, Running Back
Now shake hands with a versatile dual-threat talent and one of the class acts in pro football.
Forte recorded 1,434 yards and six touchdowns from scrimmage in 2013. He posted his lowest receiving output of his career, but also totaled 1,000-plus yards rushing for the third time since entering the league in 2008. It still worked to impress his Bears teammates and fantasy owners alike.
The 2013 season will mark the first time Forte has recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns on the ground. A bolstered offensive line, coupled with another year of gelling with short yardage back Michael Bush will push him to greater statistical heights. He’ll accumulate receiving totals more in line with his career averages as well.
Projected Statistics: 1,150 rushing yards, 50 receptions, 420 yards, eight total touchdowns
Final Thoughts
Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte are the lone premier fantasy options on the 2013 Chicago Bears. Jay Cutler, Martellus Bennett, Alshon Jeffery, Earl Bennett, Devin Hester, Michael Bush and other members of the supporting cast just don’t offer any value in the world of fantasy football.
Follow me on Twitter @jlevitt16