Chicago Bears: One of these three will shine behind Khalil Mack

Which defensive player steps up as the second guy for the Chicago Bears

Chicago’s star-studded defense has no lack of talent. From Khalil Mack to Kyle Fuller to Akiem Hicks, the Bears roster is covered with former and future Pro Bowlers. So the real question here is this: which one of these guys will become the Robin to Mack’s Batman this coming season?

When you look down the list of players, you’ll see three main candidates. The first and, in my opinion, most likely is Eddie Jackson. Jackson has already made two Pro Bowl appearances in just three seasons with Chicago. Then, you’ll see Akiem Hicks, one of the veteran guys on this defense and a guy who keeps the whole unit organized. Finally, Kyle Fuller, another two-time Pro Bowler, rounds out the list.

On a lot of defenses throughout the league, any one of these guys could be the top guy. But that’s not where they find a bulk of their success. Rather, they work together and have their best seasons when they’re complimenting each other’s play style. And perhaps this chemistry is what has allowed them to each have their own success in this system.

This was obvious in 2018, Chicago’s most successful season in recent memory. These guys, along with Mack, all made the Pro Bowl and looked like the strongest defense in the league. If not for Cody Parkey, who double doinked a kick that any high school junior varsity soccer player could have made, this team could have been an actual threat in the NFC playoff race.

Here’s a breakdown of how each of these Bears could be that number two guy.