Chicago Bears 22.3 PPG 20th, 30 sacks: 31st

“High Hopes, (they’ve) got high hopes..” Chicago Bears fans and media haven’t been this hyped since… last season. They have the secret ingredient they have been seeking for throughout their existence, a great quarterback. Let’s look back at last year to see what their defense did.

The Tale of Two Defenses, could be the title of the 2023 Bears. They had one of the most efficient run defenses in the league, allowing only 8 rushing touchdowns. Good enough for second fewest in the league. However, they allowed 31 passing touchdowns from a porous secondary. The fourth most in the NFL, somewhere Jeff Fisher is grieving. 

They allowed 22.3 points per game, and only sacked opposing quarterbacks a combined 30 times. Quite awful really, second worst in the league. The sad fact is it could have been much less had the Bears not traded for Montez Sweat, but more on him later. Not to fear, as rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams has come to save the pass defense…

2024 Prediction: 19th

The Bears actually move up one spot in the 2024 predictions to 19th. They have some absolute studs at every level for IDP purposes, but one must ask… what has changed with the Chicago Bears defensively? Head Coach Matt Eberflus brought in an All-Pro safety in Kevin Byard, which should help. Although in 2023 Byard was on a defense (Philadelphia Eagles) that allowed more passing touchdowns than the Bears did.

Other than that, there are four home-grown draft picks that the Bears are relying on; Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, and Tyrique Stevenson. Of those four Stevenson could make that jump, but the others have serious concerns. Also, only one draft pick was used on a defensive player in 2024. A fifth round selection, defensive end Austin Booker, who is currently a backup. 

There are several signs that indicate this could be a terribly disappointing year as the Bears franchise (and large fan base) put all their hopes on a rookie quarterback from a large NCAA program… again.

BEST FF IDPs: In Order of Ranking

LB TJ Edwards

DL Montez Sweat

DB Kevin Byard III

TJ Edwards has been overlooked and overshadowed basically his entire NFL career. Edwards has 130 or more combined tackles in his last three seasons, with two different teams. He only started 14 games the season in which he earned 130 too. This is part of the reason he is in the linebacker first tier of The Sports Affiliation’s draft guide.

Another reason is he has over 90 solo tackles in each of his last two seasons, once again on different teams. Last season he also earned 8 quarterback hits, 7 passes defended, 3 interceptions, 2.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 forced fumble… and did not make the Pro Bowl or All-Pro team. He’s an under-appreciated and under the radar stud. A top ten linebacker, and a draft, set, and forget IDP.

Edwards is a great draft pick in standard leagues and just about every variation of IDP leagues. He is available late, unless you’re playing with an IDP head or a Bears fanatic (of which there are several)… or even worse an IDP head Bears fan… they’re out there. Grab Edwards after you see the first wave of IDPs drafted.

Montez Sweat is another under the radar player, yet he did something no player has done in over 100 years of the NFL. In 2023 M. Sweat led not one, but two teams in sacks. He accomplished this feat with the Washington Commanders (6.5) and Chicago Bears (6). We will likely never see that again in our lifetime so cherish it.

M. Sweat hit career marks in combined tackles, solo tackles, and sacks last year. Unsurprisingly he could surpass all those marks in 2024. He is the most dangerous player for an opposing offensive coordinator to game plan for, and rightfully so. Much will be asked of M. Sweat, and he should deliver, particularly if Caleb Williams is unable to sustain drives.

Kevin Byard III is on his third team in two years, he did spend most of his career with the Tennessee Titans though. The two time All-Pro safety is looking for a bit of a revival in Chicago, and it is possible, particularly if the Bears offense does not help win the time of possession battle.

Byard is poised to be the best member of Chicago’s secondary, and will be playing with the best linebackers of his career. This should ease some pressure off of him and allow him to increase his big play ability. 

Byard is going much later than previous years, but 749 tackles, 66 passes defended, and 28 interceptions speak for themselves. He also had 122 tackles last season, Byard is a great wait-and-late defensive back to draft and should have a Pro Bowl worthy season.

Tomorrow the Cincinnati Bengals.
Thank you for reading, please leave any feedback here or on my X account @IDP_Iggy

Bet Smart, Be Lucky – Iggy

All statistics come from pro-football-reference and Sleeperbot.