The Chicago Bears are heading into what could be a big turnaround season after finishing the 2020 campaign with an 8-8 record and losing in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Following the season, the Bears and Mitchell Trubisky parted ways in free agency, with Trubisky heading to the Buffalo Bills to be a backup for Josh Allen. To replace him, the team signed veteran quarterback Andy Dalton in free agency and traded up to select Ohio State standout Justin Fields with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
With the improved offense that the Bears are hoping to have, they also have a defense still capable of being elite. Kyle Fuller was released to create cap space and he ended up with the Denver Broncos. Losing Fuller will be a big blow, but the Bears still feel like they have a defense capable of making plays and getting stops in bunches.
Matt Nagy is entering a very important season for his future in Chicago. If the team struggles, there is a good chance that he will lose his job as the team's head coach. On the other hand, a successful season and another playoff appearance should guarantee that he sticks around moving forward.
All of that is good, but the Bears will also need to see some of their players develop and have breakout seasons. If they want to get back into contention in the NFC over the next few years, they are going to need to improve from within. That is an area that they have struggled in during recent years.
Let's dive in and take a look at three potential breakout players for the Bears in the upcoming 2021 NFL season and make some predictions for them.
3. Anthony Miller, Wide Receiver
First up on the list is wide receiver Anthony Miller, who will be asked to step up this season for the offense. Allen Robinson II was retained this offseason, but the Bears absolutely need another weapon for Dalton or Fields. Miller was expected to develop into a playmaker at some point, but so far that has not been the case.
In fact, the Bears have been rumored to have shopped Miller in trade talks. But, they did not pull the trigger on a move for him and are going to give him another year to prove that he can be the player they drafted him to be.
Last season with Chicago, Miller caught 49 passes for 485 yards and two touchdowns. This season, he will put up much bigger numbers and will prove that he can turn things around. We are predicting around 60 receptions for 675 yards and five touchdowns.
2. Jaylon Johnson, Cornerback
Another player that the Bears will need to step up this season will be second-year cornerback Jaylon Johnson. With the departure of Fuller, Chicago needs someone to step up to be a big-time cover corner and playmaker. Desmond Trufant will likely be the team's No. 1 cornerback, but Johnson could take over that role by the end of the 2021 season.
During his rookie season last year, Johnson racked up 44 total tackles to go along with 15 defended passes. He didn't record an interception, but his numbers were still promising. Johnson made plays across the field and was a pest for opposing offenses to deal with.
Johnson has to develop quickly now and become a consistent presence in the secondary. The Bears cutting Fuller was a major surprise and they are banking on their young cornerback to develop nicely and become a much bigger playmaker. We are predicting that Johnson will record his first three career interceptions and will match his 2020 total of 15 defended passes.
1. Tarik Cohen, Running Back
Finally, the Bears are hoping to see a much bigger season from running back Tarik Cohen this year. They need a do-it-all playmaker offensively and Cohen could be that guy. Unfortunately, he was only able to play in three games last season due to an injury.
Back in 2019, Cohen carried the football 64 times for 213 yards and no touchdowns. His true value comes as a receiver, as he caught 79 passes for 456 yards and three scores. Cohen needs to step up as a receiver for Andy Dalton or Justin Fields, whoever ends up being the starting quarterback, and he is absolutely ready to do so.
Cohen should be able to have a similar season to the one he had in 2019. We are predicting 85 receptions for 515 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 75 carries for 280 yards and a touchdown. If he can reach those numbers, the Bears are going to love what they see from their two-headed backfield of Cohen and David Montgomery.
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