Chicago Bears: 5 Position groups that improved this offseason
By Lee Radke
1. Chicago Bears Position Group: Defensive Line
In 2020, the Chicago Bears defensive line didn’t quite live up to their level of expectations. Missing star nose tackle, Eddie Goldman, Chicago never seemed to have that push from their front group that made their run defense one of the leagues most feared. Forced to play speed-rushing instead with Bilal Nichols at nose tackle rather than Goldman, Chicago’s front seven just didn’t have the bite that we had all been accustomed to watching in 2018 and 2019.
With Goldman re-entering the lineup after sitting out in 2020 due to COVID-19, Chicago’s interior defensive line and front seven are immediately much improved on defense. One of the best nose tackles in the NFL, Goldman eats up double teams on the interior. This gives Akiem Hicks, Bilal Nichols, and Khalil Mack more one on one opportunities and allows Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan to fly around more freely.
Hoping to rebound from a 2020 season ranked 15th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed, Matt Nagy and this Bears defense are thrilled to have Goldman back inside Halas Hall.