The Chicago Bears are less than two months away from starting preparations for their 2022 season at Halas Hall with training camp. Although there are low expectations this season for the team due to a rebuild under first-year head coach Matt Eberflus, there is a chance the Bears could be surprisingly good in a few areas. One of the biggest concerns for Chicago heading into the upcoming season is their defense, but their pass rush could be unexpectedly good.
The Bears’ Defense has Proven Veteran Pass-Rushers Still On The Team
With Eberflus taking over as the Bears’ head coach, the defense will transition from a 3-4 scheme to a Cover-2 scheme. With the Cover-2 defense, pass-rush pressure will need to be generated from the defensive-line as linebackers are used to defend against the pass. Although Chicago’s defense lost two of its’ three best pass-rushers in All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack and defensive end Akiem Hicks this offseason, the Bears’ defense still has proven talent capable of generating sacks.
Congrats to Robert Quinn on breaking the Chicago Bears all time sack record. 🎉
Credit to Ryan Pace on the signing.
— Max Markham (@MaxMarkhamNFL) January 2, 2022
The most significant pass-rushing talent the Bears should have on defense for the start of the season will be All-Pro defensive end Robert Quinn, who broke the franchise record for sacks with 18.5 last season. Although Quinn is unlikely to be with Chicago for the entire 2022 season as he will likely be traded by the NFL trade deadline, the Bears will be led by an 11-year defensive end who has averaged nine sacks per season.
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Starting on the other side of Quinn will be defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad, who has played under Eberflus in Indianapolis for the past four seasons. Muhammad recorded six sacks with the Colts last season, first full season as a starter during his four-year career. Chicago’s defense at the start of 2022 will feature two defensive end who combined for 24.5 sacks in 2021.
Al-Quadin Muhammad is a Matt Eberflus guy. He had 6 sacks, 32 solo tackles, 7 TFL and 13 QB hits last year under Flus. Not a big name but a solid player. 2 year deal 10 mil…He’s almost 27 years old. Thoughts? #Bears pic.twitter.com/phemQFIhzw
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) March 18, 2022
The Bears will have additional defensive-linemen capable of generating sack pressure, including edge rusher Trevis Gibson and defensive tackle Justin Jones. During his second season in the league last year, Gibson recorded seven sacks. Jones recorded three sacks with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021 and has two years’ worth of experience as a starter in the NFL. Although Chicago’s defense could struggle significantly at times this season, there is a chance that generating sacks may not be an issue.
Chicago’s Pass Rush Could Be Assisted By An Improved Defensive Secondary
Whenever general manager Ryan Poles can trade Quinn for future draft picks before the trade deadline, the Bears’ defense will lose their best pass rush. Despite losing a top-level defensive end, their defensive line could still generate sacks because of the defensive secondary. Chicago’s defensive secondary could be better following the drafting of second-round selections during this year’s NFL Draft, featuring cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker.
By all accounts, Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker have been balling out for the #Bears in practice.
We’ll obviously have to see if that translates in-game, but both of these guys are polished enough to be Day 1 starters. Always encouraging to hear young guys showing out early.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) May 24, 2022
Along with Brisker and Gordon, Chicago’s defensive secondary will feature proven cornerback Jaylon Johnson and former All-Pro safety Eddie Jackson. Although Jackson recorded eight interceptions and recovered four fumbles during his first two seasons, he has only recorded two fumble recoveries over the last three seasons. The former All-Pro safety will have his best chance to return to form in a defensive scheme built on generating turnovers, especially by the defensive secondary.
If Chicago’s defensive secondary can be better than expected, the Bears’ defensive line can produce more sacks due to opposing quarterbacks holding onto the ball longer than expected. Even without Quinn, defensive players such as Muhammad, Jones, and Gibson could generate enough pressure on the opposing quarterback to keep the Bears in games.
Eberflus, during his time as a defensive coordinator with the Colts from 2018 to 2021, proved that he was to develop a defense capable of rushing the passer. Over the past four seasons, the Colts defense has averaged 38 sacks per year. Eberflus’ defense created pressure despite only having one player record double-digit sacks with Indianapolis’ defense over those four years. Although the Colts were without an elite pass-rushing threat, they still generated sacks.
Under DC Matt Eberflus, the Colts have played Deshaun Watson/Pat Mahomes 9 times in three seasons. In those 9 games, the Colts have totaled 37 sacks and 9 turnovers forced.
Star QBs are going to burn you. Best you can do is force negative plays like sacks and turnovers
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) January 7, 2021
Although it is unlikely that the Bears’ defense will be good enough to lead the team to the playoffs in 2022, the unit could be good enough to win one or two games that fans and media did not expect the team to win. Eberflus’ goal with the defensive pass-rush this season needs to be to build a foundation in which sacks can are generated due to scheme, even without top-level talent. Poles will either sign top-level sack talents during free agency or future drafts, but if the Bears’ defense can be better at sacking the quarterback in 2022, that will make a significant difference.
