The Chicago Bears are coming off a horrible 2021 season where they missed the playoffs.
However, they are back in 2022 with new coaching and general manager staff.
Bears hire Colts DC Matt Eberflus as new head coach. pic.twitter.com/uyO3sFLWKZ
— NFL (@NFL) January 28, 2022
Because of that, people think the team is rebuilding.
Releasing Tarik Cohen, Danny Trevathan, and Eddie Goldman furthers that assumption.
They also traded Khalil Mack in the offseason for less than they paid to get him in 2018.
Matt Eberflus on trading Khalil Mack: “We just thought what was best for the organization going forward, looking at the whole piece of it, the contract, looking at everything. Going forward for us, the club, it was the best move for us…it will be good for us in the long run.” pic.twitter.com/B5rQ6aiZbc
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) March 29, 2022
This makes fans think the Bears don’t have a chance in 2022.
I’m here to say Chicago might win the NFC North.
Here are three things that can give Bears’ faithful hope for an NFC North title in 2022.
3. Matt Eberflus Can Have A Repeat Of Matt Nagy’s 2018 Season
New head coach Matt Eberflus can have a playoff run with the coaches he has around him.
He has a group of coaches that followed him from the Indianapolis Colts.
Nagy didn’t have that luxury when he was in charge.
Kansas City forbid Nagy from taking coaches with him off their coaching staff.
An NFC North title run in 2022 would mirror Nagy’s first year with the Bears in 2018.
The @ChicagoBears flipped the script on the NFC North in 2018 🐻 pic.twitter.com/wXQjCZMwg4
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 3, 2019
People during that season didn’t see the team as contenders.
However, a trade for Mack right before the regular season started changed everything.
With Mack, Nagy had one of the best defenses in the league for 2018.
Eberflus won’t need a Mack to make a playoff run with the coaches he has around him.
2. Green Bay’s Team Is Weaker Now After Cuts And Trades
Good news for the Bears this season comes from their rival, the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers traded away their best receiver, cut two-fifths of their offensive line, and released their best linebacker.
Those players are Davante Adams, Za’Darius Smith, Billy Turner, and Lucas Patrick
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will also be without his other favorite receiver, Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
All that he has left is Randall Cobb, a receiver that Rodgers likes but hasn’t had a good year since 2014.
Without some of their best players, the Packers will suffer during the 2022 season.
Chicago can take advantage of this and win the NFC North in 2022.
1. Free Agency Signings Give Hope For Bears Season
The Bears didn’t get any mega-stars in free agency, but they got some talented players.
They added center Lucas Patrick, a former starter with the Packers.
Next, they signed receivers Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown
The moves show the Bears look to have fast receivers and added protection for Justin Fields.
The offensive line was the worst in the NFL for 2021, giving up 58 sacks.
Patrick gives the offensive line that needed help for 2022.
Pringle brings the Bears a dual threat, as he can return kicks and play receiver.
He was one of Patrick Mahomes targets for his 2021 season.
With the Chiefs, Pringle had 42 receptions for 568 yards and five touchdowns.
A retooled receiving group gives Fields something to work with this season.
However, Patrick and the rest of the offensive line need to protect Fields.
If they can do this, the Bears stand a chance to win the NFC North in 2022.
