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Sources Of Hope: 5 Bright Spots For The Bears Entering 2022


In the wise words of Michael Jordan: I’m back.


After an amazing and successful five-month internship with SportsHosts as an NFL Content Creator, I am now back to writing here! If you are new, I formed this website in April 2020, where I created articles regarding the Chicago Bears and the rest of the NFL world (feel free to check out my previous work under the "blogs" icon above). Back in August, I halted my work here to focus solely on my contributions at SportsHosts. But now, for the time being, I expect to write articles here from time to time, so thanks for checking this out and I hope you enjoy my work!

 

The Chicago Bears began their 2021 campaign with a surprising 3-2 record, including victories against the eventual playoff-clinching Cincinnati Bengals and Las Vegas Raiders. Afterward, well, everything just went collapsed in ugly fashion. Starting with a home loss to the Green Bay Packers, where Aaron Rodgers’ “I still own you!” exclamation towards the Solider Field crowd remain etched in our brains, the Bears would go on to lose 9 of their final 12 games.


A mix of brutal coaching, a severely lackluster offense, and inconsistent defense are just a few of the many reasons for the team’s downfall. Even with the stunning trade-up to snag Justin Fields in the first round of the most recent NFL Draft, there was little hope for the Bears heading into 2021. However, no one could have fathomed that the team would spiral out of control the way they have last season.


For a while, everyone knew that changes must be made, especially considering that there was a powerful plea for that to happen last offseason. Now, with the regular season concluded this past Sunday, Bears fans finally got their wish with head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace being relieved of their duties. While fans like myself are thrilled with both figures no longer with the team, it only caps off yet another disappointing season.


However, as awful and pathetic as it was for the Bears throughout the year, there are always bright spots in every rough situation. It may not appear so, but the Bears and their fans have several aspects to look forward to exiting 2021. In this article, I highlight five of those bright spots and provide reasons of hope for what is, until proven otherwise, a bummer football team.

 

#1: Roquan Smith Having Another Dominant, Yet Underappreciated Season


It is painful how disrespected Roquan Smith is around the league.


Specifically, in the past two years, I believe that Smith has cemented himself as one of the best, if not the best inside linebacker in the league. In 2020, Smith had more tackles (139), tackles for loss (18), sacks (4), and interceptions (2) than both San Francisco 49ers Fred Warner, Seattle Seahawks Bobby Wagner, and Indianapolis Colts Darius Leonard. However, those three made the NFL All-Pro first team and Pro Bowl at their position, while Smith only made the All-Pro second team and did not get a Pro Bowl nod.


A year later, Smith put up another fantastic season by finishing fifth amongst all linebackers in tackles (163), thirteenth in tackles for loss (12), and seventh in passer rating allowed (76.8). Yet, Smith did not receive a Pro-Bowl nod yet again.


With players such as Dallas Cowboys rookie sensation Micah Parsons taking the league by storm, and mainstays such as Bobby Wagner having yet another fantastic season, it is not entirely a shocker that Smith missed the Pro Bowl in that aspect. However, it is a simple fact that Smith barely receives the national recognition that he deserves. When people mention the league’s best inside linebackers, Smith is barely involved in those discussions, which is a travesty.


Roquan Smith Returning His First Career Pick-Six Against Joe Burrow & The Cincinnati Bengals.

(Credit: Bears Wire - USA Today)


Either way, at least Chicago is well-aware of Smith’s importance and what he brings to the table. There is no doubt that it is his defense now and for the foreseeable future. Smith’s contract ends next season, but it should be a top priority for our new general manager to extend him as soon as possible, which I believe will happen. Smith is only 24 years old, and with that potential extension, he will be on a path towards becoming part of the esteemed history of great Chicago Bears linebackers.


#2: The Team Quietly Possesses One Of The League’s Best Rushing Attacks


Bears fans knew they had an appealing running back room heading into the season. However, fears of yet another shaky, boring pass attack were prevalent. Unfortunately, those fears over the Bears passing attack came to fruition, making it even more surprising that the team’s rushing attack statistically found success this past season.


Although they lost traction in the second half of the season, the Bears finished fourteenth in the league in rushing yards per game (118.7). Although fourteenth certainly is not eye-popping, you must consider that running backs David Montgomery and Damien Williams missed five games apiece due to injuries. Rookie Khalil Herbert did not have his first professional carry until week four. And rookie quarterback Justin Fields, who is as athletic as it gets for his position, also missed five games due to injuries. Not to mention that the dynamic Tarik Cohen missed the entire season from his ACL tear in early 2020. Despite all those factors, the Bears managed to have an above-average rushing attack in the league, which is quite remarkable.


Now, imagine if the backfield can stay healthy? Although Williams will be a free agent this offseason, Montgomery has proved to be an effective running back and likely has yet to play his best football. Herbert played excellently in the absence of Montgomery and is on an early path to becoming an absolute steal as a sixth-round draft pick. If Fields can improve and have a coach that can unlock his potential, he could find himself near the top of every quarterback rushing category in the league.


Speaking of unlocking Fields’ potential, we all know it will take insurmountable work to develop a potent passing attack. But the fact that the Bears were able to maintain one of the league’s better rushing attacks while the passing attack was down in the dumps still baffles me. If a new coach/play-caller can provide more balance to the offense, we could easily see the best offensive unit from the Bears in almost a decade.


#3: Darnell Mooney Ascending Into A Legit Weapon


Although the passing attack has been hysterically awful yet again in 2021, arguably the only bright spot from it has been sophomore wide receiver Darnell Mooney. Mooney showed plenty of flashes in his rookie year and only improved as the season dwindled. Many predicted Mooney to break out and become a legitimate weapon for the Bears the following season.


While it may not have been to the degree that most people expected, Mooney undeniably broke out in 2021.


For the 18th time in franchise history, Mooney recorded a 1,000 yard season for the Bears. Fellow wide receiver Allen Robinson recorded the previous two before him, and many easily expected him to do so again in 2021. However, Robinson went from being a dominant, vastly underrated wideout to an afterthought amongst fans with just 38 receptions, 410 yards, and only one touchdown in twelve games. With his disappointing season and contract expiration, Bears fans went from begging the team to extend him to barely hoping they bring him back aboard.


Darnell Mooney Trying To Dodge Quandre Diggs In A Game Against The Seattle Seahawks.

(Credit: The Athletic)


With Robinson all but gone now, the need (and expectations) for Mooney only increases. But after 2021, the Tulane product has proven to be a legit weapon in the passing game. Along with notching 1,055 yards, he reeled in 81 receptions and four touchdowns. Mooney’s target share also proves how much the Bears need him, as he only had one game with less than five targets, and he had three games with more than 12 targets.


After just two years of experience under his belt, Mooney still has plenty to prove in this league. Specifically, I would like to see him put up good numbers against stiffer competition and find the end zone more often, which neither has not exactly happened thus far. However, significant blame lies with subpar quarterback play and mismanaged offensive play-calling. If either issue were not as prominent as they were, Mooney could have easily put up more damage.


Especially considering that Mooney was a fifth-round draft pick and 25 wide receivers were selected ahead of him, he has proven to be an excellent draft pick and a bonafide steal with plenty of potential. This offseason, the Bears have a pressing need to add multiple wide receivers, as Mooney is currently the only one under contract. Although the Bears had a certified top target in Allen Robinson, the team should look to add capable weapons opposite Mooney. Regardless, Justin Fields is very fortunate to have a young, skilled target alongside him in Mooney.


#4: Robert Quinn Flipping His Bears Script


When the Bears signed Robert Quinn to a five-year, $70 million contract in March 2020, there were mixed feelings about his addition. On the one hand, Quinn has a proven track record of success and provided an upgrade over a frustrating to watch Leonard Floyd. However, that contract felt too big, and the team could have utilized the money towards more critical areas of need, such as the offensive line.


Well, as we all know, Quinn provided Chicago with a horrible first impression by only notching 20 tackles and two sacks in 2020, all after he put up 11.5 with the Dallas Cowboys the previous year. I can speak for every Bears fan in saying we were furious with Quinn becoming a substantial bust after his first season donning navy blue and orange.


Then, suddenly, the Robert Quinn of old decided to show up, and boy was it beautiful.


Not only did Quinn surprisingly play up to his contract (and then some), but he had a career year by notching 18.5 sacks, which ranked second in the league, and 17 tackles for loss, which ranked sixth in the league. The play that we hoped for last season when paired with a fellow game-breaking pass rusher in Khalil Mack amongst a talented front seven came just a year later than anticipated.


But even if Quinn played in his first year with the Bears similarly to how he did in 2019 with the Cowboys, which would have been perfectly acceptable, I cannot imagine anyone would have expected him to play the way he did in 2021. The fact that he still dominated with Mack only playing the first seven games of the season speaks volumes. As a whole, the defense declined after their hot start, especially in terms of stopping the run. However, Quinn was not only a bright spot, but very likely the team’s MVP, as he is one of only two players that made this year's Pro Bowl (alongside Kick Returner Jakeem Grant).


Under a new regime in 2022, both Quinn and Mack may not be locked to stay on the team. But given both of their contracts and talents, it would be challenging to envision them departing in any fashion. With how Quinn tore up opposing offenses all year long, it is fascinating to wonder just what a healthy Mack and Quinn are capable of as a pass-rushing duo. Combine that with the dominance of Roquan Smith and the creeping rise of young pass-rusher Trevis Gipson, who forced five fumbles, which ranked sixth in the league, and the Bears linebacker unit are poised to be a team strength yet again.


#5: A Young Quarterback To Build Your Franchise Around


Last but not least is the bright spot that may be the most obvious: Justin Fields.


First, we must admit, Fields did not have a good rookie season whatsoever. Besides occasional flashes of his superstar potential, especially how he played against a stout Pittsburgh Steelers pass defense on national television, Fields disappointed by tossing just 1,870 yards, seven touchdowns, and had ten interceptions in 12 games.


While he did have a down first year, most of us can agree that no one can blame Fields here.


Of course, all young players, especially quarterbacks, will have growing pains; let us get that out of the way. But with a closer look, Fields had a brutal offensive line that allowed him to get sacked 36 times, which ranked tenth in the league (again, despite missing five games). As previously noted, outside of Darnell Mooney, Fields also had a lackluster group of targets at the wide receiver position. Finally, the most significant case was Matt Nagy’s poor use of the rookie and giving him a horrible environment to work around.


It was quite a shame to witness what Fields went through as a rookie. We all know the crazy potential he has within him, as he has proven to be a tremendous passer with insane athleticism and undeniable toughness back at Ohio State. He occasionally displayed those features as a pro, but still has plenty of progress to be made.


Justin Fields (With Khalil Herbert) Celebrating An Insane Scramble Touchdown

Of His Against the San Fransisco 49ers. (Credit: Bears Wire - USA Today)


I genuinely believe that Fields has all the potential in the world to be the King of Chicago. With Nagy and Pace gone, a new head coach and general manager will have a unique opportunity to provide a better life for Fields and develop him into a legitimate quarterback for a franchise that has been thirsty for one for *checks watch* decades. There is still a long, long way to go before that could potentially happen, so we must remain patient. But, no matter what, Fields’ potential alone offers enough optimism to look forward to the 2022 season and beyond.

 

I get it; Bears fans should feel a lot more disappointed and bummed out than optimistic after 2021. However, I wrote this article to prove that we at least have several aspects to look forward to. As fed up as we all are, we must stay loyal and optimistic. Odds are we are not a good football team for a couple of seasons. But we can at least hope and look forward to the potential blossoming of Justin Fields becoming a franchise quarterback.


There will be a significant amount of pressure on both our new head coach and general manager, but we must be happy that Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace are no longer with the team (which I will write about later, stay tuned). I, for one, am excited to see what will be a new era of Bears football.

 

If you read through this whole article, pat yourself on the back because you are a gem. While you are at it, please feel free to reach out and let me know what you thought of this piece or tap the heart icon at the bottom, if you wish.


Thank You and Bear Down!


*All stats are credited to Pro-Football-Reference

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