Who Needs to Step Up for the Bears Down the Stretch

As the season continues and the playoff picture begins to take shape, the Chicago Bears find themselves at a crossroads. On one hand, they have already matched last season’s win total with five victories. On the other, it has not been an easy road to get there. Nearly every unit on the team has been inconsistent. The offense has found ways to win each week, while the defense and special teams have endured rough starts to the year. Along with the uneven play, the team has struggled to stay healthy. The playoffs are not out of reach, but to get there, Chicago will need a few of its key players to step up.

Montez Sweat

The player who can most effectively spark in the defense is Montez Sweat. The former first-round pick has been improving week by week and is up to four sacks on the year. However, Chicago may need more from him. In recent weeks, the team has been attempting to manage the injuries on the defensive line. These efforts are helpful, but it is challenging for any team to overcome two season-ending injuries. This is where Sweat comes in. If he can improve his presence, then it can make things easier for the rest of the rotation. In past seasons, there have been signs of Sweat being a game wrecker. Returning to that level could go a long way in helping the Bears’ defense turn from a liability to serviceable.

The Tight End Room

Turning to the offensive side of the ball, there needs to be more from the tight end room. The rest of the offense has been seeing improvements. The run game and offensive line have become a strength. Additionally, the passing game has shown flashes. To turn these flashes into consistent plays, Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland need to make their presence known. Kmet this season has only 10 catches for 142 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Loveland has 17 catches for 234 yards and two touchdowns.

Loveland is coming off his best performance of the season against the Bengals, hauling in six catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner. This game finally showed the flashes that the tight end room has to offer. Even just one of the players showing up would help spread out the offense. These improvements allow the pressure to be taken off of both the receivers and the run game. The Bears' offense has had a strong start to the season, and getting the tight ends more involved could turn them into an elite unit.

Tyrique Stevenson

The cornerback room faces many of the same issues as the defensive line. Injuries have been a major problem. The matchup with the Bengals showed this as Chicago got burned, allowing almost 500 total yards of offense. One player is not enough to put a bandage over this situation, although it would not hurt. The player who has the best chance of doing this is Tyrique Stevenson. This season has been shaky for him, but it may be his best season yet. He has certainly stepped up after facing criticism all offseason. A strong performance would go a long way in saving the secondary. To see change, there needs to be one player to set an example, and the Bears will be relying on the former second-round pick to do this.

Playoffs may be a hopeful wish for Chicago. As mentioned previously, the defense has far too many holes to be fixed this season. However, if the star players can lead the way, the team can turn a corner. With the way the offense has been improving, that is enough to keep the team competitive. Even without the playoffs, a strong finish to the season would set the tone for the future. This could lead to the new era many fans have been hoping for.