Here Is How Sad The Chicago Bears Passing Legacy Is

If fans can’t truly grasp how far behind the Chicago Bears have been in building a capable passing offense, they must read this.

What does one think about when the Chicago Bears come to mind?  They think history, dominant defense and great running backs.  They think windy, snow-swept Soldier Field, steam breath and hitting ball carriers all of the field.  One image that fans just haven’t gotten a chance to see much over the decades is a legitimate passing attack.

Oh sure there have been one or two single year instances that saw surprising spikes in production.  Just never the sustained excellence that many other teams have enjoyed in the Super Bowl era.  Nothing symbolizes how far behind the Bears have been in embracing the pass-first culture than this recent stat.

Alshon Jeffery enters the 2016 season ranked eighth in franchise history with 3,728 yards.  If he has another year like his Pro Bowl campaign in 2013 (1,421 yards) then he will pass Johnny Morris for the top spot on the Bears career receiving list at 5,059 yards.  For a bit of context, keep in mind Jeffery just turned 26-years old in February.  By comparison, Jerry Rice put up 19,247 yards only during his years with the San Francisco 49ers.

Is this indicative of how poorly Chicago has drafted receivers over the years?  In part perhaps, but the real culprit has been their appalling mismanagement at quarterback.  Keep in mind the Bears franchise has been around since the 1920s.  During that entire period they still have yet to have a passer come through town who could put up 4,000 yards.  In fact, only five have even managed to top 3,000. Given how the rules are so slanted these days, that’s mind-boggling to think about.

One can hope that Alshon Jeffery starts a new era of expectation at wide receiver by breaking that record in 2016, and proving the Chicago Bears have finally emerged from the backwaters of NFL offensive football.