Make or Break Year for Bears Defensive Linemen
By Mike Curran
Will Sutton is the other defensive hopeful from the 2014 draft. When you look at Will Sutton’s stats from last year they look pretty solid with 16 tackles and 7 assists. These numbers aren’t great and won’t get people jumping out of their seats, but they’re decent especially considering that he missed multiple games due to a biceps injury. But there is some real concern with Sutton.
How many times do you remember Sutton making an impact play or affect the outcome of a game in 2015? In a very real way Sutton was Mr Amnesia because his play has been impressively forgettable. If Sutton doesn’t up his game in 2016 to a level where he at least makes people remember he’s on the roster there’s a real chance that his rookie contract is his only contract with the Bears.
The Chicago Bears are still very early in the rebuilding process under second year GM Ryan Pace. The linebacker position has undergone a huge overhaul this past off-season and I’m sure the current regime will continue to upgrade the defensive line and secondary. In this the third year of a four-year contract for both Ferguson and Sutton, much will be expected.
Maybe these expectations are unfair due to the change of coaching staff and scheme, but year three is when rookies are supposed to truly show their worth. Since this new regime has no sentimental value in guys they did not draft the pressure is on for the 2014 2nd and 3rd round draft picks that had us all so hopeful in a time not too long ago.