There are high expectations for the Chicago Bears heading into 2021, as the team could be broken up if they fail to make a playoff run. Despite finishing at .500 the last two seasons and making the playoffs last season, Bears' ownership is expecting a repeat of the 2018 season in which Chicago won 12 games and clinched the NFC North Division. For that to happen, the Bears' defense will need to return to form, and for that to happen, their role players will need to step up.

There Was a Forgotten and Underappreciated Aspect To The 2018 Defense

The 2018 Chicago Bears were one of the most dominant teams in the NFL due to their league-best defense. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio oversaw a defense that led the league in turnovers, and that was one of the best at creating sacks. Chicago's defense generated 50 sacks in 2018 as All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack led the team with 12.5 sacks that year.

Mack's presence elevated the defense as opposing offenses struggled to contain Chicago's front seven pass rush. To make the defense even more effective, Fangio incorporated corner and safety blitzes to keep the opposing offensive coordinator confused as the Bears' secondary recorded five sacks on the season. What is forgotten in how dominant Chicago's defense was in 2018 is the depth of pass-rushing success the Bears had. Although Chicago's main pass rush consisted of Mack, Akiem Hicks, Leonard Floyd, and Eddie Goldman, several role players contributed significantly in 2018. Backup linebacker Aaron Lynch, edge rusher Roy Robertson-Harris, and rookie defensive lineman Bilal Nichols combined for nine sacks that season. The number of sacks generated from role players was huge as it ensured that the defense was still making impact plays when their starters were not.

One of the main reasons why the Bears have struggled to be a winning football team the last two seasons is because the defense has not been able to duplicate the same level pass rush that was seen in 2018. Chicago's main pass-rush struggled as Mack's has failed to record double-digit sacks while the defense has lacked a second and third pass rusher to complement their All-Pro linebacker. Chicago's pass rush in the last two seasons has been hindered by a lack of pass rush from the role players on defense. Defensive end Mario Edwards is the only non-starting defensive player to record more than three sacks in a season over the last two years.

Chicago Defense Will Need Their Backups and Role Players To Be A Factor Once Again

Heading into the 2021 season, The Bears' defense hopes to return to their 2018 form with new defensive coordinator Sean Desai, who worked as a defensive coach under Fangio in 2018. Chicago also hired former Green Bay Packer defensive coordinator Mike Pettine as a defensive assistant, whose specialty is developing consistent pass rush. Regardless of who is coaching the defense, the only way the Bears' defense returns to form is if they can generate sacks from other than Mack and Hicks. Other than edge rusher Robert Quinn along with linebackers Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan, the Bears will need their defensive backups to generate pressure. Backups like Edwards, Trevis Gibson, and Angelo Blackson will be counted on and needed to create some form of quarterback pressure and sacks. These players don't need to put big sack totals, but they need to provide at least two to four sacks to compliment the pressure hopefully generated by the Bears' starters.

One potential name to keep an eye out for during training camp and the preseason is undrafted rookie free agent Charles Snowden. Snowden was an edge rusher for Virginia, who went undrafted due to injury concerns. If healthy, the rookie edge rusher could be a preseason surprise similar to what Robertson-Harris did in 2017. If Snowden makes the team and plays, he could be the ideal backup pass rusher the team has needed since 2018.

The 2021 season could be a good one for the Chicago Bears, depending on whether their defense can repeat what they did in 2018. For that to happen, their pass rush needs to improve across the board. Consistent pressure on quarterbacks will lead to turnovers, which will lead to wins. With more wins, the Bears could potentially return to the success they had three years ago.