The Chicago Bears broke through during Matt Nagy's first year at the helm, making the playoffs while fielding one the of NFL's best defenses. The team again looks primed for a playoff push in 2019, though at least one former player thinks it could accomplish much more.

“To me, this team looks just like us in '84, '85,” former defensive end Richard Dent said. “We really started to jell, to be the best that we can be. We beat one another, and when you beat one another, no one else can beat you but yourself. That's what drove us to be the best that we can be.”

How high the Bears can ultimately climb this season remains to be seen, but optimism is high in the windy city, and the team certainly has the look of one that could compete for a championship.

The Monsters of the Midway came back to town last season, winning the NFC North and making the playoffs for the first time since 2010. The defense, led by All-Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack, was was one most-feared units in football.

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The Bears thought they were in position to make a postseason run last year, but former kicker Cody Parkey's double-doink miss off the upright and crossbar in a wild card loss to the Eagles forced them to make different plans.

Dent said the defense will have to add another wrinkle since “film is out there” and father time is undefeated. But the amount of play makers they have bodes well for the unit.

“You can't double everybody,” Dent said. “That's just like us.”