Finding Where The Chicago Bears Will Focus In 2016

Sep 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kyle Long (75) outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (92) and linebacker Lamarr Houston (99) walk off the field after the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field. Cardinals won 48-23. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

There are still 13 games left to be played. So to say the Chicago Bears are done in 2015 is a gross miscalculation. However, the general feeling among the masses is this team is preparing for their big move to come in 2016. That would explain why they so willingly traded veteran leader and most experienced pass rusher Jared Allen to Carolina and former 2nd round pick Jon Bostic to New England for 6th round draft picks.

It’s led to the dreaded word “rebuilding” being mentioned repeatedly, something longtime team follow Hub Arkush believes the team has embraced.

"“The Chicago Bears are rebuilding.While Jared Allen was not a difference-maker on the field trying to learn a new position at the age of 33, he was arguably the most important veteran leader on the team.He has now been moved for whatever the Bears could get for him.Jonathan Bostic may have been a symbol of destiny unfulfilled to Bears fans, but athletically and pedigree-wise, he also was the best young linebacker prospect on the Bears roster.Apparently because he did not fit whatever Pace’s and Fox’s visions of their future linebacking corps may be, he has now been moved for whatever the Bears could get for him.If that’s not the definition of rebuilding, I’m not a bald old man.”"

True or not, the fact is expectations are for the Bears to make a lot of noise in 2016. They’ll have nine draft picks and upwards of $60 million in salary cap space. That doesn’t mean they’ll go crazy but it’s a clear indication they plan to continue overhauling the roster as rapidly as possible in order to make this team competitive again.

The only question is where will they place their focus? To answer that I constructed a chart determining who will likely be on the roster by the time the off-season begins next spring.

Each player name is coated in a particular color scheme that is represented by the key below.

Key:

Green – Good, proven player on the field.
Yellow – Quality role player or youngster with upside
Orange – Serviceable player
Red – Liability or a complete unknown

This should help clarify where the Bears might be strongest and where they are weakest, thus giving insight into which positions might take priority.

A few points to takeaway from this chart:

Running back and wide receiver appear in relatively good shape in terms of top line talent and depth. This of course provided the Bears retain Alshon Jeffery rather than trade him or allow him to leave in free agency as some are predicting. Both Jeremy Langford and Kevin White are promising young talents who should become major contributors starting next year.
The offensive line has serious concerns at all but two positions, not to mention the depth behind them. Kyle Long and Matt Slauson are by far their best players up front but Jermon Bushrod is declining rapidly and nobody else shows any prospects of holding down a starting job long-term.
Jarvis Jenkins has been a welcome surprise on the defensive line at end. He seems to be taking to the Vic Fangio system well, which would be a major boon for this team considering what else they have. Ferguson and Sutton have ability but haven’t flashed it enough yet. Ratliff remains a steady presence in the middle and his understudy Goldman has serious potential.
Make no mistake. Pernell McPhee is now the unquestioned best player on that defense. He’s backed that up with his production so far this year. Acho fits the system well and has been elevated to starter. Houston and Young don’t look like the best fits but are at least adequate rotational bodies.
The coaches believe strongly in Shea McClellin and Christian Jones. Their athletic ability and size make them good fits at inside linebacker, but they’ll need to start making more impact plays if they want to keep that confidence.
Cornerback as a whole is a whole lot of “meh.” Name one guy, right now, in that unit who you would trust to cover a Jordy Nelson, Calvin Johnson or Dez Bryant? Exactly. Kyle Fuller has the ability but is playing so undisciplined and passive. Ball and Porter have had moments but remain too inconsistent while McManis and Mitchell are good athletes but still unproven.

Based on these notes, it’s clear the bulk of the teams’ talent core rests on offense for the time being, which may suggest the primary focus of the Bears front office in 2016 will be the defense from front to back. That doesn’t mean they will ignore other areas like quarterback and offensive line but it’s a clear enough picture.

Until this team finds enough pieces to counter those quality NFC North offenses, they won’t be winning much.

Next: 2016 NFL Draft: Biggest Offensive Sleepers By Position

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