Returning Key Defenders & Expectations
With the hiring of Matt Eberflus it was apparent that there was a new demeanor and attitude the Chicago Bears were seeking. This was also not limited to shaking up one of the most consistent pieces over the past few seasons, the defense. One of the first changes is the Bears resorting back to a 4-3 scheme that has been familiar to the organization.
With the defense losing Khalil Mack, Eddie Goldman, Akiem Hicks and Bilal Nichols the 2022 defense is bound to look different then the years past. The Bears are not short of talent on the defensive side of the ball by any means necessary. Eddie Jackson, Roquan Smith, Robert Quinn, Jaylon Johnson and Trevis Gipson all played significant downs in the past and are expected to be apart of the defense moving into the 2022 season.
There was not be another player on the defense that has faced more scrutiny than Eddie Jackson, mostly due to his remarkable early years in his career and the recent downfall he has faced. Coach Eberflus recently stated that Jackson will have a «fresh slate» heading into 2022. Along with commending the safeties abilities stating «You look at the positive, what he can do, and he's taking the ball away. He's really proficient at blitzing. I think he times it up well, does a good job there, does a good job in coverage, so we'll see where it is.». There's no doubt that the Bears have high expectations once again for Jackson to bounce back and become the playmaker again he has proven to be early in his career. The former All-pro is only 28 years old and is under contract through the 2024 season. Jackson could benefit under the shift to the 4-3 scheme and heavy Cover 2 style defense. The safeties are heavy relied on as the last line of defense in this zone and are expected to play the pass with everything in front of them also while filing the gaps in the run defense. Jackson has proved to have great instincts and coverage skills but there is no doubt that his tackling ability and effort has been questioned.
Jaylon Johnson is one of the leagues next up and coming names at the cornerback position. Despite only having 1 interception in his 2 seasons with the Bears, Johnson has a knack for making plays on the ball. In his rookie campaign Johnson recorded 15 passes defended(which was tied for 9th in the league) despite only playing in 13 games. Following up with an additional 9 last season. Johnson has made his physicality and presents known, typically covering each team's marquee receiver. Johnson should be a tremendous fit and benefit highly in Eberflus' defense especially due to the cornerbacks expected to play a large part against the oppositions rushing attack.
Last season there is no denying that Robert Quinn made a case for himself to be the Bears MVP bouncing back from a subpar 1st season on the team and recording 18.5 sacks, most of which were without Mack on the opposite side. Quinn has been rumored to be a target for a trade during the rebuild but Poles has been vocal emphasizing that the trade talks for Quinn just «hasn't came up». Keeping Quinn would help provide a valuable bridge to this defense as Poles and company fills the roster out to how they feel is best to contend. Al-Quadin Muhammad followed Eberflus over from the Colts and should provided valuable snaps along with Trevis Gipson in a post Khalil Mack world on the defense. Having Quinn on the roster providing not only a bridge but still playing at a high level could be more valuable then any trade offer right now. Going back to a 4-3 scheme similar to what Quinn was familiar with earlier is his career with the Rams, under Jeff Fisher. This was where he played his best football. This should be a smooth and beneficial transition for the defensive end.
Most importantly and arguably the achilles heel to the defensive is Roquan Smith. Ever since his rookie year Smith had filled the shoes and high expectations becoming one of the best linebackers in the NFL. Smith has elite speed, a tremendous motor and virtually always will find the ball carrier. Smith has recorded over 100 tackles in each of his 4 seasons in the league and is coming off of a career high 163 total tackles in 2021. The biggest question mark surrounding Smith heading into the season has been if Smith will be playing the «Mike» or «Will» linebacker, or for better reference to Bears fans, Lance Briggs or a Brian Urlacher role. Regardless of where #58 lines up there no doubt that he will excel at the position, it may come down to a matter of where do the Bears need Smith to play more versus where Smith will thrive. Even in his 4 short season with the Bears Smith has already starting etching his way into the Mount Rushmore of linebackers that the Chicago Bears and the Monsters of the Midway are known for. Smith's exceptional speed, blitzing abilities, run stuffing prowess and pass coverage skills allows Smith to be a 3 down linebacker and captain of the defense that this team needs.
There may be some concerns from Bears fans given the key departures that happened this off-season, which is understandable. But the Bears defense is equipped with core stars still along with hungry unproven players such as Trevis Gipson, Khyiris Tonga and Thomas Graham Jr who played above their expectations in the previous season when their number was called.
