The Chicago Bears have a natural talent for making a season unpredictable every single year. Don’t expect that to change in 2021. Nobody is entirely sure what to expect of this team. It isn’t hard to envision them going 12-5 or 5-12. It always seems to come down to how healthy they stay and whether they can catch a few lucky breaks. A little positive play from the quarterback position would certainly help.
That aside, let’s not focus on the win-loss record predictions this time. What about a series of random ones? Predictions meant to offer a preview of the craziness to come. Not just for the team in general but several of their individual players as well. Get ready for a few you might not be expecting.
Ten random Chicago Bears predictions to chew on for a month
The next contract extension goes to: Bilal Nichols
This is going to make a lot of fans unhappy because it’s not the name they’re hoping for. That of course being wide receiver Allen Robinson. Yet the writing appears on the wall at this point. Robinson’s demands are too high. Otherwise, the Bears likely would’ve made the deal long ago. Roquan Smith is another candidate but he has the 5th-year option to buy them time. That leaves Nichols. He’s become a key fixture on their defense and will be a free agent next offseason. The sooner they try to lock him up, the better.
Biggest shocker: Blowing out the Packers
Years and years of frustration have built up in the Bears locker room over their inability to beat the Packers. Just one time since 2016. Now with Aaron Rodgers looking like he’s going to sit out this season? Green Bay appears truly vulnerable for the first time. One can bet Chicago will be frothing at the mouth to get after them without their all-time great QB to bail them out. The Bears haven’t beaten their rivals by double digits since 2007. That is going to change on October 17th at Soldier Field. At least two touchdowns will separate the final score.
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Team record that will fall: Rushing touchdowns
Darnell Mooney surprised everybody in 2020. A 5th round pick coming out of nowhere to break the Chicago Bears’ longstanding record for receptions by a rookie. Could another record fall this year? With the arrival of an extra game, there is a good chance of that happening. One that might be in danger is the single-season mark for rushing touchdowns. Currently, it is co-owned by Gales Sayers and Walter Payton who each had 14. David Montgomery had eight last season, seven of which came in the final five games. He was a red zone machine. The Bears know how to use him now. If he gets off to a hot start? Look out.
Breakout star: Cole Kmet
His rookie debut was a mixed bag. Not untypical of a tight end. Kmet was largely quiet for around two-thirds of his first season before the Bears’ coaching staff finally realized he might be decent at catching the football. So they started engineering more play designs to get it to him. The results were promising. Kmet showed himself to be a big physical target who was a problem trying to tackle after the catch. Based on recent rumblings at Halas Hall? The 22-year old appears to have made full use of that experience. He’s standing out constantly in practice, regardless of who the quarterback is. That tends to lead to big things.
Backup who will jump to starter this year: Kindle Vildor
Another 5th round pick from last year, Vildor saw virtually no action through the first three-quarters of the 2020 season. Then as injuries began to hit the secondary, he was elevated into the lineup. He held his own somewhat, but there were inevitable struggles. What he showed wasn’t enough to stop the team from adding to the position extensively after Kyle Fuller and Buster Skrine both left. Most believe veteran Desmond Trufant is the favorite to start opposite Jaylon Johnson this year. Based on reports out practices thus far? Vildor isn’t ready to cooperate with that plan. He looks good. Yes, that good.
Game they shouldn’t win but will: At Cleveland Browns
The hype around the Browns is reaching a fever pitch this offseason. Not exactly a sentence people ever thought they’d say right? Not after that team won just one game in two years at one point. Things have changed. Cleveland nearly knocked off the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs is the playoffs after thumping Pittsburgh the week before. They have a talented roster top to bottom. So the Super Bowl expectations are warranted. Yet during that wild ride, they were still prone to old “Brownsing” moments including a loss to the eventual 2-14 New York Jets. Everybody will pick them to top the Bears in Week 3. Expect Chicago and Andy Dalton to surprise.
Game they should win but won’t: Vs. New York Giants
Finishing seasons have remained a constant problem for the Chicago Bears. That is why the words from mayor Lori Lightfoot about staying relevant past October stung. It is true. Part of the problem is the Bears can’t always take care of business against teams they should beat. The loss to Detroit at home last year was a perfect example. Over the past two seasons, the Bears have knocked off the Giants at Soldier Field. This December will be their chance to go for three-in-a-row. However, anybody who knows this team tends to remember they don’t do consistency well when it comes to winning. That is why they’ll likely drop this game in a most frustrating fashion.
Dealt at the trade deadline: Nick Foles
Making trades at the deadline is an uncommon occurrence for this organization. Mostly because by the time it arrives, they’re usually set going in one direction or the other. A trade is unlikely to change their fortunes. However, this could be one of those rare times where they have a surplus of something valuable other teams may want. Attrition happens all the time in the NFL. Including at the quarterback position. All it takes is one or two timely injuries and suddenly the presence of Foles as the #3 QB on the Bears’ roster will look like a tantalizing trade target.
First-time Pro Bowler: Roquan Smith
It is always a fun thing when young Chicago Bears are able to finally break through to their first Pro Bowl. Validation of the team’s investment in that player. Kyle Fuller and Eddie Jackson were recent examples. One could easily make the case that Smith should’ve gone to one already. If not in 2019, then definitely in 2020. He got snubbed both times. Now with Eddie Goldman returning and a new contract looming as an incentive? It feels like this year is going to leave no doubts about how good Smith really is. We’re talking peak Urlacher/Briggs levels of production.
When Justin Fields sees his first action: Week 11
This is easily the most persistent question surrounding the Bears as training camp looms. When will Fields play? Lots of people want him to start immediately. Others think it’ll be about three or four weeks into the regular season before he gets the nod. Both are possible, but in truth, the higher likelihood is after the bye week. It makes sense for a number of reasons. It will give the coaching staff two weeks to prepare him. Also, the game will be at home at a noon start time. No road noise. No primetime jitters. If Nagy plans to make the switch, that is as favorable a spot as he’ll likely get.
