3 Reasons For Concern Heading Into 2021 For The Chicago Bears
By Lee Radke
Following a roller coaster start to the 2021 offseason, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace traded up with the Giants to select Ohio State QB, Justin Fields 11th overall in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. A big-play hunter and dual-threat quarterback, Fields didn’t lose a game in the Big Ten Conference play at Ohio State. Running a 4.40 40-yard dash at his Ohio State pro day, Justin Fields will be one of the NFL’s fastest quarterbacks for Chicago.
In what is sure to be his signature moment in the National Football League, It will be up to Matt Nagy to put Justin Fields in the best possible position to succeed. Fields’ long-term success in Chicago is far from guaranteed, but he is easily the most talented Chicago Bears quarterback of all time. After striking out on a trade attempt with the Seahawks for Russell Wilson, getting Fields at 11th overall truly was a dream scenario for Matt Nagy and the city of Chicago.
When you consider what John Lynch and the San Fransisco 49ers gave up to move from 12th to third to select NDSU’s Trey Lance, Ryan Pace and Chicago got an absolute steal. Justin Fields’ four-year $20 million dollar contract will cost Chicago roughly $5 million per year through 2024. During an era when quarterbacks performing well on their rookie contract have proved to be so valuable, Pace and Nagy have hit the reset button.
The Chicago Bears are looking to restart with Justin Fields at quarterback
With a talented young quarterback who Matt Nagy hand-picked and plenty of projected cap space to build around him next offseason, the Chicago Bears now have a clear sense of direction at the most pivotal position in sports.
On the defensive side of the football, the Chicago Bears made a coaching change at defensive coordinator. The team promoted longtime quality control assistant (2013-2018), and safeties Coach (2019-2020) Sean Desai to replace former defensive coordinator, Chuck Pagano.
Known to players and coaches as “Doc”, Desai earned his Doctorate in Educational Administration from Temple University in 2008. A disciple of former Chicago Bears defensive coordinator (2015-2018) and current Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, Desai is hoping to bring the Bears defense back to its 2018 form. The best defense in the NFL all season, Fangio’s 2018 Bears unit was first in points allowed (265), third in sacks (50), first in interceptions (27), and first in rushing yards allowed (1,280).
With a lot of big money being spent on this Chicago Bears defense, Ryan Pace is counting on a high level of production in 2021 under Sean “Doc” Desai. Although Chicago lost Kyle Fuller and Buster Skrine, there are still reasons to believe this defense can be great under Desai in 2021.
On the defensive line, star nose tackle, Eddie Goldman is returning to Halas Hall after sitting out the 2020 season due to COVID-19. A unit that ranked 15th in run defense in 2020, Goldman’s return to the lineup will provide a large boost to this Bears front seven.
This has been a great offseason for Bears fans, and there really is a lot to be excited about. Despite all of the great things going on inside of Halas Hall, here are my three reasons to be concerned for this Bears team heading into the 2021 season.