The Chicago Bears were quickly knocked back down to Earth after a 12-4 campaign in 2018. They finished 8-8 and third in the NFC North. Chicago was unable to qualify for the postseason in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2005-2006.
Much of the blame was put on Mitch Trubisky, but the Bears as a whole underachieved; though especially on the defensive side of the ball. In 2018, the Bears allowed 18.6 points per game, which was the fourth fewest in the league. They were creating turnovers at a record pace. The Bears finished with 50 sacks, 27 interceptions, and 18 fumbles just a season ago. These numbers went down significantly in 2019 and it was a main reason that they were only able to win eight games.
Khalil Mack did not play like one of the league's best defensive players this season. He went from 12.5 sacks to just 8.5 in 2019. Mack is the leader of the Bears' linebackers and is expected to be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. This was not the case in 2019. Danny Trevathan suffered an arm injury in Week 10 and there was plenty of drama surrounding Roquan Smith this season.
Bears' Defensive Grade in 2019
The linebackers were supposed to be the strongest group for Chicago in 2019 but it turned out being the defensive line. And they did it without Akiem Hicks. He suffered an elbow injury in Week 5 and did not return until Week 15. Eddie Goldman and Nick Williams stepped up as run stuffers in the middle of the defensive line.
The Bears' secondary was strong once again but they did not create turnovers this season. That is what set them apart in 2018. Chicago has just 10 interceptions this season which is a huge drop from 27 in 2018. Eddie Jackson had the biggest drop off with just two interceptions and did not score a defensive touchdown. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix signed a one-year, $3 million contract last offseason and he was the biggest bargain on defense.
Clinton-Dix led the secondary in tackles and had two interceptions with one touchdown. Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara were serviceable cornerbacks this season but they also did not create turnovers in 2019. That is how the Bears' defense will be judged after what they did in 2018. While that pace is not sustainable, they are expected to produce more than they did in 2019.
The Bears set a precedent in 2018 where they were viewed as a championship level defense with an offensive guru at head coach. Both proved to be premature takes in 2019. With that being said, the Bears will head into 2020 with expectations and hopes that their defense can return to form.
Chicago Defensive Grade: C+
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