Bears Coaches Feel They Have Well-Kept Secret on Defense

One of the most puzzling decisions by the Chicago Bears this 2018 offseason centered on their pass rush. It started when they chose to cut Pernell McPhee and Willie Young while also letting Lamarr Houston leave in free agency. Those three veterans accounted for 14.5 of the teams' 42 sacks last season. As of now, only Leonard Floyd is their proven presence on the edge and he's not even fully healthy from his knee injury last year. Bears coaches like Vic Fangio admitted it's a concern. To date they've made scant additions to the group on paper. Veteran Aaron Lynch arrived in free agency. He had a strong start to his career with 12.5 sacks his first two seasons. Since then he has 2.5. Hopes are that a reunion with Fangio can reignite the ability he showed back then. Joining him is rookie sixth round pick Kylie Fitts. Optimism is high on him but he's a late round pick for a reason. In this case rampant health issues. So again, why? Why did the Bears not make a more concerted effort to improve such a critical position? It might be that the team feels they already have a piece or two in place. Some the NFL doesn't know about. Yet.

Bears coaches express great confidence in the progression of Isaiah Irving

One of the big mysteries on the Bears roster going into 2018 is former undrafted free agent Isaiah Irving. The kid was an afterthought early last year. Most viewed him as little more than a training camp body. Then the defensive end from San Jose State exploded over the final two games of the preseason with three sacks. It was enough to earn him a place on the practice squad. Eventually, he found his way to the main roster where he primarily helped on special teams. He saw a few snaps on defense but never got a real chance to play. That could be in line to change this year. Not just because the vast array of veterans are gone, but because the team thinks he's poised for a jump. Outside linebacker coach Brandon Staley is one such believer.

“He had an outstanding offseason. His body is at a great spot right now and his understanding of what we’re trying to do and how we’re trying to do it has come a long way. We feel he can make a push. We really felt before he got hurt at the end of last year that he was making a push. We like a lot of the things that he brings to the table — he can rush, he is outstanding in the run game, heavy-handed, (and) he can move his feet really well in pass coverage. He’s got great makeup. It matters a lot to him. We’re excited to see how far he can make the push from OTAs to training camp.”

Irving showed enough to warrant optimism as a rookie

The key was could he craft his body and arsenal of moves to a point where he could take on NFL tackles. Performing in preseason against backups is one thing. Trying to beat David Bakhtiari for a sack on Aaron Rodgers is quite another. Reports say Irving has dropped to 253 lbs but added a total of 20 lbs of muscle to his frame. He's lighter but stronger, quicker and faster. No doubt he's a far more natural fit as an outside linebacker now than he was last year. In fact, he might be playing his more natural position given his size and frame. Staley and the Bears coaches are now dead set on showing him what it takes to win on each snap. Pass rushing with a plan. With only Lynch and Fitts in his way, the odds are strong that Irving will see plenty of action this year.