Kickoff Primer: An instant guide to the 2016 Chicago Bears
AFC Previews
BUF | MIA | NE | NYJ
BAL | CIN | CLE | PIT
HOU | IND | JAX | TEN
DEN | KC | OAK | SD
NFC Previews
DAL | NYG | PHI | WAS
CHI | DET | GB | MIN
ATL | CAR | NO | TB
ARI | LA | SF | SEA
Chicago Bears
| 2015 Record | 2015 Finish |
|---|---|
| 6-10 | 4th in NFC North |
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
| Position | Starter |
|---|---|
| WR | Alshon Jeffery |
| WR | Kevin White |
| WR | Eddie Royal |
| LT | Charles Leno |
| LG | Cody Whitehair |
| C | Ted Larsen |
| RG | Kyle Long |
| RT | Bobby Massie |
| TE | Zach Miller |
| QB | Jay Cutler |
| RB | Jeremy Langford |
| Position | Starter |
|---|---|
| DE | Akiem Hicks |
| NT | Eddie Goldman |
| DE | Jonathan Bullard |
| OLB | Pernell McPhee |
| ILB | Danny Trevathan |
| ILB | Jerrell Freeman |
| OLB | Willie Young |
| CB | Kyle Fuller |
| SS | Harold Jones-Quartey |
| FS | Adrian Amos |
| CB | Tracy Porter |
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.