Windy City Gridiron
With so much discourse over the strength of Chicago’s pass catchers this year, as well as the concerns shared over the pass rushers, it got me thinking about previous position groups that have led the Bears and others that weighed their respective team down. Here, we take a look at some of the most noteworthy position groups in recent memory. We discussed the weakest groups here, so now let’s discuss the strongest.
While I had planned on finishing this piece shortly after the last one about a month ago, we’ve had quite a busy 30 days here at WCG. Not only with a brand new topic each and every day, but also recently with a ‘Historical All-Time Bears Fantasy Draft.’ The latter of which absolutely helped in the formulation of this article, so let’s get to it.
If you like interceptions, you loved the defensive backfield of the 2018 Chicago Bears. Between All-Pros Eddie Jackson and Kyle Fuller, and veterans like Prince Amukamara, Adrian Amos and Bryce Callahan, this group snagged TWENTY interceptions. Three of which returned for touchdowns like the one pictured here.
To say this unit was dangerous is an understatement. Not a weak link in the bunch.
They also combined for 63 pass breakups, 4 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 more TD via recovery – which belonged to BoJack, of course. These guys were having fun, and the entire league watched with bated breath each week to see what creative collaborative celebration they would break out with next. An all time great unit, for sure.
Prior to 2013, you would have to go back to 1941 for the last time at least three offensive skill players made the Pro Bowl in the same year. And that was when there was only 10 teams in the entire league. Let’s just say the game was quite different back then. But Chicago’s 2013 squad could give any offense in the league today a run for their money. Pro-Bowl RB Matt Forte and WRs Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery led the team’s offense that season, but Martellus Bennett was no slouch at TE either. In 2013, Bennett recorded 65 catches for 759 yards and 5 TDs. He would record even more yards the following year, but at the time, his 759 yards were the 5th most All-Time in franchise history at the position. And he was the least successful of the bunch that season.
Matt Forte had 1,339 rushing yards and 9 TDs on the ground in addition to his 74(!) catches for another 594 yards and 3 TDs.
B-Marsh had 100 catches for 1,295 yards and 12 TDs, and Alshon had 89 catches for 1,421 yards and 7 TDs.
Oh, and Jay Cutler was throwing them the ball. Not bad at all, considering he is the franchise’s passing leader.
Anytime you have the franchise’s all-time...
