Kickoff Primer: An instant guide to the 2016 Chicago Bears

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Chicago Bears

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: John Fox
Offensive Coordinator: Dowell Loggains
Defensive Coordinator: Vic Fangio

Key Additions

• LB Danny Trevathan
• LB Leonard Floyd (1st round)
• LB Jerrell Freeman
• DE Akiem Hicks
• OG Cody Whitehair (2nd round)
• QB Brian Hoyer

Key Departures

• RB Matt Forte
• TE Martellus Bennett
• OL Jermon Bushrod
• S Antrel Rolle
• OG Matt Slauson
• K Robbie Gould
• DE Ego Ferguson

Preseason Power Ranking - #18

A new management regime is quietly building a contender. Look for a suddenly stacked front seven to control games on the defensive side, ideally taking some pressure off Jay Cutler and the offense. More...

Projected Starting Lineup

Questions to Answer

• Who will replace Matt Forte as the lead back?
• Can the defense catch up to the offense?
• How will Alshon Jeffery perform playing under the franchise tag?

Best-Case Scenario

If all goes well for the Bears in 2016, they could be a surprise challenger for the NFC's first wild-card spot. With powerhouses in the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, a division crown is out of the question, but the playoffs aren't too far out of reach.

Worst-Case Scenario

No one develops as a threat beside Jeffery, Cutler throws more interceptions than touchdowns, and the Bears are once again a lottery team in the 2017 NFL Draft.