We are Bears fans. In the initiation and subsequent bylaws associated with being a fan of the Chicago Bears, it states:
Thou shall get far too high and far too low every offseason.
Until fairly recently, Bears fans have only hit the high of the aforementioned rule. And save maybe a miniature throwing drill crisis or Mike McCarthy rumor, the lows have been sparing so far this offseason. However, after a sloppy start against Kansas City’s starting unit on Friday night, a fair amount of actual concern
has entered the conversation. Given that this was the last dress rehearsal before the Bears’ enormous Monday Night matchup with the KOC/JJ/JJ Vikings, we have perhaps hit our lowest offseason low.
With that said, I am not here to tell you the sky is falling. In fact, I just looked outside and the Chicago sky is a beautiful shade of blue.
What I am here to do, is ask for your opinion on what is currently making you nervous. Is it the lack of pressure from the DL? Is it the inconsistency on offense? Is it the slew of injuries that have accumulated at DB? Or something else, more nerve-rackingly insidious?
What has you nervous about the Bears two weeks out from their opening game against the Vikings?
Me? It’s the defensive line. I’m not quite to the point of sounding the alarm for Dayo Odeyingbo, but his first preseason action against the Chiefs’ rookie LT Josh Simmons was underwhelming at best. Poles’ signing of Dayo showed a huge amount of faith for a player who has had middling production to start his career. It was largely a bet on untapped potential and a frame that Dennis Allen could coach up to be like Cam Jordan. He deserves a lot more than two quarters to prove himself, but early returns are concerning.
As for Montez Sweat – he has got to be dominant. He’s the closest thing to a blue chipper on the DL, and he just hasn’t been anything near that since the end of the 2023 season. If this DL is going to be league average or better, Sweat is going to have to pressure and sack the QB at a high level.
Then there is Gervon Dexter. Big Dex has been a favorite to breakout each of the last two seasons, and while there have been moments of improvement, it’s hard to say he is doing it at any level of consistency. The biggest concern in watching the tape against the Chiefs is that Dex is still very slow off of the ball. This issue has plagued him since he got here, and neutralizes his incredible talent and strength by putting him at an immediate disadvantage. Gervon is going to need to improve his get-off, or the Bears are going to struggle pressuring the QB up the middle.
Now, it’s important to note that Grady Jarrett and Austin Booker did not play against the Chiefs, and they are two very important pieces this season. However, players like Dex, Sweat, and Dayo need to be better than they showed on Friday, or this defense could be in for a long season.
Now it’s your turn – what has you nervous about the Bears heading into Week 1? Sound off in the comments!
