It's been a lackluster offseason for the Chicago Bears, but the franchise hopefully has plans to keep building around Justin Fields. Although that's true, Chicago isn't that far away from having a competent team. Improving the wide receiver core will be important down the road, but for now, this franchise will need a boost from somewhere else. With that in mind, we look at the Bears' key position group to make the most significant impact in the 2022 NFL season.

The defense should be decent as the front office emphasized improving in that area. That means the offense will have to step up for the most part. Even though the wide receiver group is lacking, the Bears don't have that bad of a roster. The offensive line should be better, Justin Fields will take a step in development, and the run game is likely going to be utilized more often than not.

For Fields to be at his best next season, Chicago is going to need consistency out of the backfield. They have plenty of options and the Bears have a chance to surprise the league with their group of running backs. If that happens, then this team could be more competitive than most believe.

With that said, here is the key position group for the Bears to make the biggest impact in the 2022 NFL season.

*Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*

Bears Key Position Group For 2022 NFL Season

Running Backs

If Chicago hopes to compete for the NFC North crown, they're going to need the rushing attack at peak performance. Luckily for them, the Bears have a solid group in the backfield ready to make some noise. If they can get rolling on all cylinders, then this run game could be one of the best in the league next season. However, they need to prove it.

David Montgomery is a solid option as he can do nearly everything. He missed four games last year but still managed to record 849 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. On top of that, Montgomery played a key role in the passing attack, totaling 301 receiving yards off of 42 receptions. The Bears are likely to feature him in their offense, which could lead to a monster season.

Khalil Herbert is another running back for fans to be excited about. He flashed as a rookie last season when subbing in for an injured David Montgomery. With just 103 rushing attempts, Herbert accumulated 433 yards and two touchdowns. His 4.2 yards per carry average gave the Bears consistency out of the backfield. Although his sample is small, he proved himself enough for Chicago to give him an expanded role.

If that's the case, then this team could have a solid running back duo. That is exactly what the Bears need to compete in the 2022 NFL season. Then throw in Justin Fields' rushing ability too and suddenly Chicago has a triple-headed dragon in the backfield.

The wide receiver group would become much less of a risk in this scenario. Their job would mainly be to help in run blocking while ensuring consistency in passing opportunities. Darnell Mooney is primed for a breakout season, but the rest of Chicago's receiving group should be heavily involved in run blocking. Keep an eye on the Bears running backs through training camp, as we will get a better understanding of their role in the offense for the upcoming season.