2016 Chicago Bears – Bold Predictions

10.) Bears Secondary Will More Than Double 2015 Interception Total – Kenny Zook

The Bears defensive backfield did not look great last year.  I am absolutely convinced that their reputation was largely undeserved.  Any time you give the opposing quarterback all day to throw the ball, the secondary will have a tough time looking good.  That happened a lot last year as the Bears compiled a very un-Bear-like sack total.

Worse yet, the struggles of the front seven were only the tip of the iceberg.  The backfield was also struggling to learn Vic Fangio’s defense.  Tracy Porter was in his first year with the team, playing in a defense that was in chaos.  Kyle Fuller was in his second year in the NFL, and his second defensive scheme.  Adrian Amos started 16 games as a rookie!

Fuller is starting his third year, and his first where he is not learning a whole new defense.  He was coming on strong at the end of last season, and Kevin White has noted that Fuller looks tougher this year.  Amos, also benefiting from the continuity from last year, can be expected to improve.  Porter, when healthy was a bright spot in the 2015 defense, and this year has a complete off-season program under his belt.  Competition to play beside Amos at safety is intense among a very talented group.

These guys will play faster.  They will play with more confidence.  And, oh by the way, they will be playing behind a vastly improved front seven.  The Bears have a much improved D-Line and one of the best and potentially deepest linebacking corps in the NFL.  There is little in football that will give a secondary extra chances for interceptions than harried quarterbacks.  The 2016 Bears secondary is much better prepared to take advantage of those chances.