Chicago Bears: 5 Reasons Nobody Believes In Them

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Nov 9, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Bears outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (92) reacts during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Pernell McPhee is hurt

Furthering the fear of that secondary is the fact that now the Bears won’t have one of their key pass rushers for at least the first six games of the season. Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee was placed on the PUP as he continued to recover from knee surgery. During the first half of last season he was almost unblockable at times. During one stretch he had five sacks in five games. However the injury began to sap his effectiveness down the stretch and he eventually landed on IR.

It’s just uncertain whether Lamarr Houston, Willie Young and Leonard Floyd can pick up the slack with him out. This doesn’t account for the fact that both Houston and Young finished with more sacks than McPhee did last year. Or what about Eddie Goldman? He had 4.5 sacks as a rookie and has since gained even more quickness after slimming down. Throw in the disruptive Akiem Hicks and explosive rookie Jonathan Bullard and it’s hard to accept that front seven not being able to get pressure.

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