2014 was another disappointing season for the Chicago Bears, who failed to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive time with a 5-11 record. But the Bears have been quite busy in the off-season, as they to hope return back to prominence this year. But will those changes and improvements be enough to put them in a better position with a better ending?
Read on below to see a detailed breakdown of the Bears’ chances for the upcoming season. And if you want to know more the outlook of the NFL this year, check out our previews for the Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans.
[sc:Football ]2015-2016 Chicago Bears Preview
Overview
A good start for the Chicago Bears last year wasn’t enough to lead them to the playoffs, as they came crashing down at the end. They finished with a 5-11 record, dead last in the NFC North division. This disappointing result triggered a change.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Chicago fired general manager Phil Emery and head coach Marc Trestman last December. As their replacements, the Bears hired Ryan Pace to be the new general manager and John Fox, who spent the last four years with the Denver Broncos. Fox led the Broncos to four-straight AFC West titles and has made it to the Super Bowl twice in his career—with the Carolina Panthers (2003) and Denver (2013).
Fox certainly has the credentials to turn the Bears back into a winning group; however, it might be too optimistic to expect that he’ll be able to lead them back into the postseason immediately. The team’s success this season won’t just be heavily determined by him, but also by his new quarterback Jay Cutler, who remains unable to live up to his potential despite being surrounded with a relatively solid offensive unit.
Time is running out for Cutler to live up to the expectations. The fans and his teammates are tired of his shortcomings as well. If he still doesn’t pull through again this season, it might be time for both parties to go their separate ways.
But the hiring of Fox might exactly be the answer to his struggles. This reason alone explains why the Bears, who are +1500 to win the AFC North, could be headed for a better finish this year.
Offseason Review
The Bears definitely have no plans for another losing season in 2015, and they’ve been pretty noisy during the offseason. They started it off with the hiring of Fox, who has the reputation and experience of bringing teams back to relevance. His run and defense-oriented system could do wonders for the team, particularly by limiting Cutler from throwing passes that led to a lot of turnovers.
Another big change in Chicago was the departure of their productive wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The five-time Pro-Bowler was traded to the Jets in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick, which ultimately makes Alshon Jeffery the No. 1 option for Cutler. Jeffery had 174 receptions for 2,554 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons.
Jeffery will now play opposite Kevin White, whom Chicago drafted as the seventh overall pick during the 2015 NFL draft. White’s size and athleticism make him such an intriguing prospect, but he’s still raw and could struggle in his rookie year.
It’s also worth noting the addition of free agent wide receiver Eddie Royal, who brings quickness and veteran experience in the slot. He’s coming off a solid effort with the Chargers last season, garnering 778 yards and seven touchdowns on 62 receptions.
Over at the defensive side, the biggest acquisition for Chicago is 280-pound linebacker Pernell McPhee, who’s believed to be on the rise in the league. McPhee played a big role as a backup for the Ravens last season, recording 7.5 sacks despite playing just 49 percent of the snaps. This 26-year-old’s versatility to play multiple positions will add a different dimension to Chicago’s defense.
Key Player – Jay Cutler
Jay Cutler has been up and down throughout virtually his entire stint in the Windy City. One day he’s one of the best quarterbacks in league, delivering all the right passes and making the right decisions in the clutch. Then the next game, he’ll cough up throws and become a turnover machine.
Despite his inconsistencies, Cutler remains Chicago most vital player for the upcoming season. The 32-year-old completed 66 percent of his passes and threw 3,812 yards last season. He also had an 88.6 passer rating but at the same time led the league with 24 turnovers, which includes 18 interceptions—tied for second-most in his nine-year career.
Cutler enters his seventh season with the Bears and it’ll likely be his last chance to satisfy everyone’s expectations. He’ll have a solid group of weapons at his command, and will be guided by a new head coach to help him prove his worth.
Key Game –@ Green Bay (Sept. 13)
What better way for the Bears to start off the season than with a huge win over the reigning NFC North champions, the Green Bay Packers? More importantly, it’ll most definitely be a perfect test to see how well the Bears have improved during the offseason. They were completely dominated, 55-14, during their previous meeting back in November of last year. However, they’ll be at home to start the year, an advantage that will help Chicago start the year with a bang.
Best/Worst Case Scenario for the Season
Best Case Scenario
2015 becomes the year that Jay Cutler finally lives up to expectations for Chicago. He thrives under John Fox’s system, limiting his turnovers, making the right decisions especially during clutch moments in each game, and finally becoming more consistent. This resurgence from Cutler allows the Bears to start off the season on a good note, and carries them all the way to a wild card berth.
Worst Case Scenario
The worst case scenario is pretty obvious: Jay Cutler being Jay Cutler. The 32-year-old has been giving Chicago and its fan base numerous reasons to give up on him, and he delivers the final nail in his coffin. He doesn’t mesh well with the new faces and the new system, which leads to a disappointing 3-13 season for Chicago.
Complete Schedule
| WEEK | DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunday, Sep 13 | Green Bay | 1:00 PM |
| 2 | Sunday, Sep 20 | Arizona | 1:00 PM |
| 3 | Sunday, Sep 27 | @ Seattle | 4:25 PM |
| 4 | Sunday, Oct 4 | Oakland | 1:00 PM |
| 5 | Sunday, Oct 11 | @ Kansas City | 1:00 PM |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct 18 | @ Detroit | 1:00 PM |
| 7 | BYE WEEK | ||
| 8 | Sunday, Nov 1 | Minnesota | 1:00 PM |
| 9 | Monday, Nov 9 | @ San Diego | 8:30 PM |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov 15 | @ St. Louis | 1:00 PM |
| 11 | Sunday, Nov 22 | Denver | 1:00 PM |
| 12 | Thursday, Nov 26 | @ Green Bay | 8:30 PM |
| 13 | Sunday, Dec 6 | San Francisco | 1:00 PM |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec 13 | Washington | 1:00 PM |
| 15 | Sunday, Dec 20 | @ Minnesota | 1:00 PM |
| 16 | Sunday, Dec 27 | @ Tampa Bay | 1:00 PM |
| 17 | Sunday, Jan 3 | Detroit | 1:00 PM |
Writer’s Prediction
The Chicago Bears thrive under the John Fox era but fail to make it to the playoffs with a 7-9 record, third place in the AFC North division. Create a betting account now if you think the Bears will surprise this season.
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