2014 NFL Preview: Everything you need to know about the Chicago Bears

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Chicago Bears

Schedule | Roster

Since the Bears appeared in the Super Bowl following the 2006 campaign, they've reached the playoffs just once in seven years. That's hard to believe when you consider they have won at least eight games in five of those seasons. Late season swoons have been their downfall, however, and last year was no exception. 

Chicago lost four of its final six contests, including a winner-take-all matchup with the Green Bay Packers for the NFC North crown on the final Sunday, to miss out on postseason action. Jay Cutler signed a lucrative contract extension this offseason and Josh McCown moved on to Tampa, so the pressure will be squarely on the Cutler's shoulders to bring the Bears back to January football. 

It wasn't all disappointing for the Bears in 2013, though. Brandon Marshall continued his ascent toward the top of the league's receiver ranks, and Alshon Jeffery emerged as an equally dangerous threat on the opposite side. With more than 2,700 yards receiving between them, division foes better be prepared to deal with the Bears' aerial attack.

Preseason Power Ranking - #11

If the Bears' defense can rebound somewhat in 2014 to close the gap between their suddenly high-powered offense, Chicago will be playoff contenders. If Cutler can stay healthy, he's in for a career year throwing to Marshall and Jeffery. More ...

Key Additions/Departures

Key Additions: DE Lamarr Houston, DE Jared Allen, C Brian de la Puente, DE Willie Young, S Ryan Mundy, WR Santonio Holmes

Key Departures: DE Julius Peppers, DT Henry Melton, KR Devin Hester, RB Michael Bush, QB Josh McCown, WR Earl Bennett

Uncharacteristically, the Bears' defense was dreadful last season. The unit finished tied for last in sacks, dead last against the run, and ranked 30th in total defense, leading the team to focus the majority of its free agent moves on the defensive line. 

Peppers and Melton have departed in favor of Allen, Houston, and Young, which can actually be deemed as an upgrade given Houston's raw talent and Allen's production. The former Viking hasn't produced fewer than 11 sacks in the past seven campaigns. 

Chicago enjoyed strong field position and points from their special teams over the years thanks to Hester, but they opted to let him walk this spring. Despite being north of 30, Hester still ranked 19th in kick-return average last season and would have ranked in the top five in punt-return average if he qualified, so he'll be missed on special teams.

2014 Draft Class 

Charles Tillman was exposed last year and has clearly lost a step. Pro Football Focus ranked him the 89th corner in 2013 and it will be Fuller's job to come in and be a shutdown guy with Tim Jennings going forward. Fourth-round pick Vereen will also be counted on for a significant role in the secondary right away. 

With all the pass rushers the Bears brought in as free agents, they focused they attention on adding run stoppers in the second and third rounds. Ferguson and Sutton are two big bodies that will be tasked with clogging the middle in Chicago's 4-3 scheme.

Fourth-round pick Carey should be a nice backup for lead back Matt Forte. He averaged better than 1,900 yards in his final two seasons at Arizona. 

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Marc Trestman
Offensive Coordinator: Aaron Kromer
Defensive Coordinator: Mel Tucker

Cutler has never been polished when it comes to mechanics, but he looked to have made strides last year under quarterback guru Trestman. That led to some huge numbers for receivers Marshall and Jeffery. If the Bears pivot can stay healthy this year, career highs in many categories will be possible. 

Kromer's first year as an offensive coordinator was a success, but not for what you might think. Yes, the Bears finished second in scoring to the Broncos, but it was in pass protection where Kromer, a longtime offensive line coach, made the biggest difference. Cutler was sacked just 19 times in 11 games, which was well below his pace from his first four seasons in Chicago. 

Tucker, on the other hand, didn't enjoy as much success in his first year in the Windy City. The Bears spent a lot of money in free agency and invested heavily during the draft to give him more to work with and if he can't turn it around, his stay with the organization could be a short one.  

2014 Schedule

The Bears start with four of their first six games away from Soldier Field, but if they can get through that stretch in decent shape, things are going to get easier. They play three of their final four at home and all of those opponents come from indoor stadiums, meaning the Bears could use the frosty Chicago weather in December to their advantage. 

They also get the benefit of a bye before a crucial matchup with the Packers at Lambeau Field in Week 10. That game could go a long way in deciding the NFC North and, in turn, if the Bears make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2010. 

Bold Predictions

Cutler will throw for 5,000 yards. Only Peyton Manning and Drew Brees accomplished the feat in 2013, but Cutler will have a chance this season. Marshall and Jeffery both had well over 1,200 yards receiving and combined to come up just two yards shy of the league's leading tandem in Denver, Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker. Unless the Bears' defense makes a drastic improvement, Chicago will be playing from behind regularly and have plenty of opportunities to air it out. - Michael Amato

Jimmy Clausen will start and win a game. Jay Cutler hasn’t started all 16 games since 2009, and Clausen has the inside track to be Cutler’s backup. Left for dead by the NFL after flaming out in unspectacular fashion in Carolina (three touchdowns and nine interceptions in 10 career starts), Clausen probably doesn’t deserve another chance. But the Bears neglected to sign a veteran backup this offseason, and the team apparently believes in head coach Trestman as a “quarterback whisperer.” If Trestman can turn Clausen, who hasn’t appeared in a game since 2010 and was out of football last season, into even an average backup, it may be his greatest coaching triumph. - David Woods

Marshall will catch 15 touchdowns. Marshall had a solid campaign for the Bears last season, catching 100 passes for 1,295 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns in 16 games. Those numbers are even more impressive considering he was coming off his third hip surgery and was without starting quarterback Cutler for five of those games. With both he and Cutler fully healthy, Marshall should have no problem reaching 15 touchdowns this season. - Caitlyn Holroyd

Bears will lead the league in offense. The Broncos may have been the most explosive offense in the league last year, but this season that title will belong to the Bears. Jay Cutler missed five games in 2013 and yet Chicago still finished in the top five in passing yards, if he can remain healthy this year, the Bears will only finish higher on the list. Add in one of the best running backs in the league in Forte and Chicago’s offense will be impossible to contain. - Mike Dickson