As the Chicago Bears have finished their ninth game, they are over halfway through the season. Still, they are in week nine of 18 with a bye week included, so this truly is the halfway mark. During the quarter-pole, we looked into which players were big surprises and disappointments.
So, now that we are deeper into the season, where do these players stand? Who are the big disappointments?
3. Angelo Blackson is losing time for the Chicago Bears
During the offseason, we questioned if Angelo Blackson could go from a role player to a full-time starter. The answer to that has obviously been no. He is not the reason the run defense is awful, but he is the lowest-rated interior lineman and is right with Dominque Robinson, a rookie who grades poorly because he bites on everything.
The good news is that the Chicago Bears see that Blackson has been struggling, and they are doing something about it. Over the past five games, his snap rates are 38%, 54%, 60%, 41%, and 32%. On the flip side, Armon Watts is at 47%, 47%, 40%, 53%, and 65%.
So, three of the last five games, and the last two games have favored Watts over Angelo Blackson. Watts has been better in about every phase, so this does make sense.
Still, this is a big letdown for Blackson. He may end up being better when he is back to a rotational role, but in a chance to earn a starting spot, he failed. Beyond that, a player who was cut after training camp has unseated him.