Chicago Bears expectations high after successful 2018

The Chicago Bears went from afterthought to division champ a year ago. Then, after a double-doink, they were bounced from the playoffs in the Wild Card round. Left to ponder what could have been.

After an offseason that was hamstrung by being without cap space or their first two draft picks, the Bears are returning with hope of internal improvement. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is entering his third season, and is still looking for his first campaign of either 4,000 passing yards or 25 touchdowns. For the Bears to become a true Super Bowl contender, they’ll need Trubisky to step up and become a driving force instead of a passenger.

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Heading into 2019, the team is largely the same. The offense is almost completely in tact, save for Jordan Howard being replaced by rookie Devin Montgomery in the backfield. The defense saw a few changes, with coordinator Vic Fangio taking the head coaching job with the Denver Broncos. His replacement? Former Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano. In the secondary, safety Adrian Amos also left in free agency for the Green Bay Packers, replaced by HaHa Clinton-Dix.

Over the weekend, safety Eddie Jackson talked about what his designs are for 2019, and what motivated him throughout the whole season. It’s a quote that should resonate with players, coaches and fans alike.

“Everything — how short, and how far, we came,” he said. “From the losing record to the winning record. How short we came, with the first-round playoff game with the field goal. Right now we just want to build off everything and let that be the fuel to our fire. We plan on taking this whole thing.”

Looking at the NFC North, competition will be even tougher for the Chicago Bears to ward off. The Packers upgraded on both sides of the ball, signing Amos along with pass rushers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. Offensively, Billy Turner was signed to anchor the interior at guard, while Aaron Rodgers has a new mastermind in head coach Matt LaFleur.

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The Detroit Lions aren’t a contender, but they did add talent in edge rusher Trey Flowers, receiver Danny Amendola, slot corner Justin Coleman and tight end Jesse James. Detroit isn’t going to climb out of the cellar, but it’ll more dangerous.

If the Chicago Bears are going to fulfill Jackson’s hopes of winning the Super Bowl come February, they’ll need to internally elevate their games. The task is great, and so is the opportunity.