Chicago Bears: Trust “da” process set in place for 2021
By Nathan Burns
![Chicago Bears - Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports Chicago Bears - Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fbeargoggleson-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F16258553-850x560-ef44917faca11fae156a50642ccdd112a95028c099f53b0645dc8ac62163eb60.jpg)
Two Chicago Bears to keep an eye on
Last season, Darnell Mooney rose up the depth chart quickly and was counted on often. As a late-round pick, the rookie out of Tulane made an impact, to say the least. Mooney totaled 61 receptions for a total of 631 yards in his rookie year.
Mooney got his fair share of deep balls last season but it didn’t work out too well. Although Mitch Trubisky overthrew him half the time, Mooney looked to be open often. He has plenty of potential and promise. Now add in the speed of Marquise Goodwin and this team has the ability to hit those home run balls. Goodwin has an average yard per reception of 16 yards. If he gets one inch of space, he’s gone. This is the same Marquise Goodwin who almost qualified for the Tokyo Olympics
Last but not least, Cole Kmet.
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet hitting the weight room at the Tight End University summit.
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) June 27, 2021
(Pictures via themikesgraffix/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/4ZM1jg68Vg
Being a huge Notre Dame fan, I was excited when I saw the Chicago Bears draft Kmet last year. That said, I didn’t think he was going to be the Bears’ “future tight end.” Kmet totaled 43 receptions, 515 yards, and six touchdowns in his best season at Notre Dame. It’s rare to see a tight end breakout their rookie year, so this season we will get a better analysis on Kmet’s game.
A bright spot to look at in Kmet’s performance last season was that he was starting in Week 12. From week 12 to the end of the season, Kmet put up 20 receptions, 149 yards, and one touchdown. He ended up averaging four receptions and 29.8 yards per game. If he stays exactly the same, his projected stats next season would be 64 receptions for a total of 477 yards. The odds of Kmet not improving even a little would be shocking, so expect Kmet to have a better second season.
I’m a younger fan (21) but I’m tired of seeing this team be mediocre. Every missed pick/move puts the Bears that much behind everyone else. Ryan Pace made a huge deal when he traded up for Mitch Trubisky. That obviously didn’t work out. A few years later, and it’s the same thing.
Next. Expectations for Khalil Mack in 2021. dark
Pace traded up for his quarterback in Justin Fields, only this time things are more promising. There’s a difference between having an experienced veteran QB in front of you and having Mike Glennon as your mentor. The Bears aren’t beating a team like the Cheifs, anytime soon. So there is no need to rush your young QB into the fire.
No matter what happens, there is almost no chance Dalton plays as bad as Glennon did. Please don’t rush Fields into playing. Trust “Da” process.