The Chicago Bears looked like the up-and-comers in the NFC North after winning the division in 2018.
Armed with one of the best defenses in football and a creative offensive play-caller in head coach Matt Nagy, the Bears seemed primed to challenge for the NFC title in 2019.
Instead, Bears fans settled for mediocrity.
Chicago stumbled to an 8-8 record, with third-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky regressing and the offense failing to generate points.
But the “Monsters of the Midway” are hoping to bounce back in 2020. The Bears signed edge-rusher Robert Quinn to wreak havoc opposite Khalil Mack, also trading for journeyman quarterback Nick Foles to compete with Trubisky for the starting job under center.
Some of Chicago's improvement will be dependent on their youngsters making significant strides. Here are three potential breakout players to watch in 2020.
3. Kevin Toliver
The Bears cut ties with a pair of secondary players in Prince Amukamara and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
While the Bears signed Artie Burns and selected former Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Chicago will need more contributions from its depth pieces.
Toliver has hardly seen any action in the last two seasons, playing just 16 percent of all defensive snaps in 2019. He also allowed 11 completions in 16 total targets last season.
That said, Toliver was widely regarded as one of the best undrafted secondary players in 2018. He excelled at LSU, and there is a chance he could shine with some more playing time.
Chicago's secondary should also benefit from Quinn and a healthy Akiem Hicks asserting their will in the front seven, and Toliver might offer more value in something of a nickel role.
2. Anthony Miller
The Bears are another team lacking a ton of depth at the receiver spot outside of their No. 1, Allen Robinson. Some of that might also be attributed to poor quarterback play.
However, Trubisky seemed to develop a good relationship with Miller late in the year.
Miller had 33 receptions for 431 yards and two touchdowns in a five-game span between Week 10 and Week 14, showing some downfield explosiveness and good route timing, especially in the red zone.
It remains to be seen whether Trubisky or Foles will be the starter. But the Bears also Taylor Gabriel in the offseason, and will need guys like Miller to add playmaking at the wide receiver spot.
1. David Montgomery
Nagy lauded Montgomery's talents during training camp last year. But he never quite seemed to exploit Montgomery's strengths last season.
The rookie out of Iowa State rushed just 242 times, averaging 3.7 yards per carry and sometimes simply disappearing from the game plan.
But Montgomery has talent. He averaged 1.6 yards after contact last season, and his 28 broken tackles ranked seventh among qualified running backs, per Pro Football Reference.
The Bears need better work from their offensive line, especially after guard Kyle Long retired. Nagy might also need to be more creative in how he uses Montgomery.
Montgomery has all the tools to be a breakout star. He just needs the opportunity to get consistent carries.
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