People can talk about coaching all they want. It's important. Don't get that wrong. However, at the end of the day football is no different than any other sport. The most talented teams tend to win championships. If you're thin on talent, then don't expect to do much come January. This is why optimism is so high for the Chicago Bears going into 2019.
From top to bottom, there is a general consensus among media and fans that this is one of the most loaded rosters the organization has put together in over a decade. It's young, it's fast, and it's deep. Now it is also proven. They went 12-4 in 2018, won the NFC North and took the defending champions to the bring in their first playoff appearance in eight years.
This would explain why Hall of Fame executive Gil Brandt rated them with the 3rd-best roster in the NFL.
"Don't let the drama at kicker distract you. When your biggest problem is at that position, you know you've got a solid team on your hands. GM Ryan Pace has shown he's not afraid to make bold moves, orchestrating trades to land QB Mitchell Trubisky in the 2017 NFL Draft and pass rusher Khalil Mack last September.
Not too long ago, it felt like Chicago's roster was littered with first-round busts. Now, it feels like it's bursting with first-round starters, like Trubisky, cornerback Kyle Fuller, right guard Kyle Long and linebackers Leonard Floyd and Roquan Smith, peppered with mid-round steals like running back Tarik Cohen and safety Eddie Jackson...
...Since Pace's first year, the Bears have fared much better, adding players like defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, right tackle Bobby Massie and cornerback Prince Amukamara."
Chicago Bears know their opportunity is there for the taking
One thing is clear about the NFL of today. It's hard to keep rosters like this together for long. The salary cap era inevitably leads to lots of turnover via free agency, trades, and other avenues. This means the urgency to "strike while the iron is hot" is all the greater. Players and coaches alike on this Bears team have expressed with crystal clarity that they know the window is open.
They have the #1 defense in the NFL. Their offense is deeper at the skill positions than it was last season. The offensive line is returning all five starters. Most importantly? Mitch Trubisky enters his second year in the Matt Nagy offensive system. All the arrows are pointing up. Yet the job remains theirs when it comes to seizing the moment. Do they have the mental fortitude to handle the pressure.
Not all talented teams do.
