Chicago Bears 2017 Offensive Expectations
By Josh Diaz
How successful can the Chicago Bears 2017 offense be?
The Chicago Bears offense has been retooled with a handful of new skill players, and offensive linemen for the trenches. The Chicago Bears 2017 Offense will be improve with the free agents and draftees. How good can the Chicago Bears be this year with their new look offense?
The newcomers to the offense are wide receivers Markus Wheaton, Rueben Randle. tight ends Dion Sims and Adam Shaheen, running backs Benny Cunningham and Tarik Cohen, and offensive lineman William Poehls, Taylor Boggs, Bradley Sowell and Jordan Morgan.
These signings and draft picks are perfect for providing the depth, and competition to bring out the best in the players. This is exactly how General Manager Ryan Pace should be doing his job. The best in the business do the same with proven success.
The only two significant losses on offense for the Bears were Alshon Jefferey leaving for the Eagles, and releasing Eddie Royal.
The Offensive line was ranked 15th out of 32 teams by Pro Football Focus. The bright sides to the offensive line are Cody Whitehair, Josh Sitton, and Kyle Long. The tackles on both sides need the most improvement, and that is why the Bears signed four additional lineman to work into the rotation.
The running game can and will improve with Jordan Howard as the featured back. This season he will have help provided by the running back competition of Jeremy Langford, Ka’deem Carey, Benny Cunningham, and Tarik Cohen.
The wide receivers showed some promise last season. Cameron Meredith will be the number one option, and proved he belongs as a starter in the league. Markus Wheaton has shown consistency with the Steelers as a viable third option.
The rest of the receiving core has question marks. Josh Bellamy’s has a high drop rate. Reuben Randle and Kendall Wright were low-risk high reward signings and have has success in the past.
Daniel Braverman’s development, and the health of Kevin White will also have a hand in the progress of the offense.
Zach Miller is a great pass catching tight end, only being stopped by his reoccurring injuries. Dion Sims provides a solid backup while Adam Shaheen develops.
Mike Glennon will need everybody on the same page to provide the offense with consistency, something we did not see last year.
The 2017 season will be another stepping stone to becoming relevant in the NFC. The offense will improve significantly from last years 17.4 points per game which was 29th in the league.