Matt Eberflus Highlights the Two Positions He Believes Have Improved Most
The Chicago Bears are coming off a disheartening 3-14 season, a record that marked their worst performance since the Super Bowl era began. But with a fresh off-season behind them, expectations are on the rise for 2023. Under GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus, fans are anticipating more victories and widespread improvements from the team that had heavy investments in both the draft and free agency.
As training camp reaches the two-week mark, Eberflus has a pretty clear sense of the roster's potential and direction. He recently shared his insights on The Green Light podcast with Kyle Long and Chris Long, offering a revealing response to a straightforward question: Which positions have shown the most improvement since last year? Eberflus' answer was both detailed and enlightening.
«I'll probably do two. I would say the front seven on defense is totally changed, and I think that matters. Honestly, when you're trying to affect the quarterback and you're trying to do a good job against the run game. I really think the D-line is going to be a little bit of a change because we have (Andrew) Billings in there, we have Justin Jones, we got two young rookies that we signed (Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens), and then we signed Yannick (Ngakoue) and got a couple of other guys. Obviously, we got (DeMarcus) Walker and (Rasheem) Green. Those guys at defensive end. In the middle of our defense, I think we're stronger there. We got Tremaine Edmunds, you know, from Buffalo. And then T.J. Edwards, who's a real good, instinctive linebacker. So we feel good about those guys.»
His enthusiasm for the defensive line overhaul is palpable, highlighting the addition of proven pass-rushing talent and sturdy defensive tackles. Coupled with the presence of two Pro Bowl-quality linebackers, the Bears' front seven looks set to leave last year's struggles behind.
But Eberflus' enthusiasm doesn't stop at defense:
«Offensively, probably what's going to be the biggest change you'll see is the chemistry between Justin Fields and the skill that we have. You know, the tight endswe have three tight ends you probably wouldn't find better in the league. You get Cole (Kmet), Bobby (Tonyan), and now Marcedes (Lewis), the Big Dog, in there. So that's some good dudes. Then you got the receiving corps. The addition of D.J. (Moore), (Darnell) Mooney, (Chase) Claypoolthose are three good skill sets we really have. So the continuity of that between Justin and the skill set we have is growing and improving as we go.»
Eberflus' focus on the tight ends and the offensive chemistry is particularly intriguing. He seems especially excited about the tight end trio, each bringing unique skill sets to the table. The Bears have already extended Kmet following a breakout season, and Tonyan and Lewis further enrich the position, with the latter still showcasing top-tier blocking skills at age 39.
But what resonates most in Eberflus' comments is the sense of anticipation and confidence in his team. It's not just about individual talents or positions but the way they complement each other. When those pieces begin to fit together seamlessly, wins usually follow. Chicago Bears' fans will be hoping that his optimism translates into a season where promise turns into real performance. The foundation has been laid, and the excitement is growing - now it's time for the Bears to show their improvements on the field.
| POLL | ||
9 AOUT | 16 ANSWERS Matt Eberflus Highlights the Two Positions He Believes Have Improved Most Do you feel confident with the current Bears' roster? | ||
| Yes | 12 | 75 % |
| No | 4 | 25 % |
| List of polls | ||
