Chicago Bears: Quarter pole awards

An early look at team awards for the Chicago Bears.

The Chicago Bears have been tremendous through the first four games of the NFL season. The Bears sit atop the NFC North with a 3-1 record, and as it’s been mentioned numerous times, they are a dropped Kyle Fuller interception away from being 4-0.

With the team playing well, it’s a good time to take a look at “team awards” and see who has earned honors for the Bears at the quarter pole of the season.

Offensive MVP- Mitch Trubisky, QB

Putting Trubisky’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers aside, it would be tough to give Trubisky the nod here, but through the first three games of the season, there isn’t one particular player that stands out.

Even with Mitch’s up and down performances, he still managed to score TDs on two opening drives of the season, which helped settle down the defense and let them do their thing. That, combined with his incredible performance in week four, makes Trubisky the offensive MVP of this football team.

Defensive MVP- Khalil Mack, Edge

Is it even a question? There have been several players that have played great, including Akiem Hicks and Danny Trevathan, but nobody has been what Mack has been. Forget being the defensive MVP of the Bears, Mack is the defensive MVP of the NFL.

He’s been an absolute terror, he’s elevated the rest of the defense around him, and he’s on pace for 20 sacks. The Mack acquisition has been everything the Bears could have hoped for, and that trade, as well as the free agent signings to boost the offense, is going to land Ryan Pace the Executive of the Year in the NFL.

Rookie of the Year- Roquan Smith, LB

Of this rookie class, nobody has jumped off the page yet. James Daniels has barely played and Anthony Miller is hurt so you can’t go with either of them. Bilal Nichols has looked very good in limited snaps, but the bottom line, this award goes to Smith.

Smith looked very good in limited snaps in week one against the Green Bay Packers and has worked his way into the starting lineup on an elite defense. Smith hasn’t been a giant playmaker, but he’s been solid in coverage, been where he needs to be against the run and is already second on the team in tackles.

Smith should only improve and unless Miller gets on the field quickly and puts up some gaudy numbers, Smith should hold onto this award by year’s end.

Comeback Player- Kyle Long, G

Kyle Long was once an elite guard and played at an All-Pro level. Injuries derailed his last two seasons and he’s struggled in each of the last two years. He had a hard time staying on the field and when he was on there, he wasn’t the player he had been in past years.

Long is healthier this year and it’s showing. He’s had some big time blocks leading the way on some pulling guard plays and has been solid in his traditional run and pass protection. Long had his worst game of the year against Tampa, but that shouldn’t prevent recognizing that his season to this point has been a welcome addition to this offense.

CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by Aaron Lynch #99 of the Chicago Bears in the first quarter at Soldier Field on September 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Biggest Surprise- Aaron Lynch, Edge

Lynch was a low-priced signing by Pace this past offseason prior to the Mack trade that was going to compete for the starting edge position opposite Leonard Floyd. Lynch missed all of training camp with a leg injury and some even questioned if he would make the roster.

Even with the Mack trade, Lynch made the squad but has been relegated to sub duty. Lynch has been excellent when he’s played. Lynch has recorded two sacks and has 3 TFLs. He even has a pass defended and an interception. Lynch’s play deserves to be commended.

Most Unheralded Player- Bilal Nichols, DL

Nobody expected much out of Nichols this season. As a fifth round pick, the Bears figured he would need some developmental time and he would play sparingly and Bears’ fans would have to wait until 2019 to see Nichols on the field more.

Nichols hasn’t played much yet to this point, but every time he steps on the field he earns more playing time. He had a clutch TFL against the Arizona Cardinals late in the game and was all over the field against Tampa after Akiem Hicks was ejected.

Nichols is rapidly earning snaps and at this rate, he could even be starting by the end of the year. If anyone pushes Smith for Bears’ rookie of the year, it’s going to be Nichols, he’s playing that well.

Best Offensive Lineman- Charles Leno, T

Long could also be considered for this award, but it has to go to Leno who has been consistently solid for the Bears at the most important line position since day one this year. Leno has steadily improved each of the last few seasons and he’s in line for his best season yet.

Leno has held some very good pass rushers in check and has been his usual steady self in the run game. His footwork has been very good and he hasn’t gotten Trubisky crushed on any blindside hits.

Biggest Disappointment- Eric Kush, G

The good news here is that this list is very short. Dion Sims also got some consideration, but his expectations were pretty darn low to begin with so it’s tough to call him the biggest disappointment. Kush hasn’t been horrific, but he’s definitely been the team’s worst offensive lineman as they wait for James Daniels to be ready to take over at starting guard.

Kush has had a couple bad penalties and hasn’t gotten much push up front. Kush is what he is, and that’s a solid swing guard that can back up both guard positions and center, but when you rely on him to start, he isn’t going to wow anybody. Once Daniels is starting and Kush is back in his proper role, he’ll be fine, but as a starting guard, you can’t be thrilled with Kush’s performance.