2019 Summary
Record: 8-8 (3rd in NFC North)
2019 Offensive Points-Per-Game: 17.5 (29th)
2019 Total Defense-adjusted Value Over Average: -2.1% (15th)
After an impressive sophomore season, quarterback Mitch Trubisky took a major step backwards in Yr. 3. He threw for less yards, a worse completion percentage, a worse touchdown to interception ratio, and a lower QB rating. Luckily for fantasy football owners, wide receiver Allen Robinson remained productive, finishing as WR7 in PPR. Second-year WR Anthony Miller took some positive strides forward, setting up a potential third-year breakout. Rookie running back David Montgomery didn’t meet expectations, but still mustered a RB25 finish in PPR while passing-down back Tarik Cohen faltered after a superb 2018.
Major additions
- LB, Robert Quinn
- TE, Jimmy Graham
- S, Deon Bush
- WR, Ted Ginn Jr.
- QB, Nick Foles
- CB, Jaylon Johnson
- TE, Cole Kmet
Major subtractions
- OLB, Leonard Floyd
- CB, Prince Amukamara
- G, Kyle Long
4 major storylines for 2020
Who will be the starting quarterback?
This is not only the most important question for fantasy football owners, but for the Bears themselves. After a disappointing third season, serious doubt is being cast over Trubisky’s future as the team’s QB. The addition of Foles has ignited a QB controversy. Given how this offseason has been altered due to COVID-19, Trubisky’s familiarity with the system gives him a competitive edge. I say he gets the first crack at the position. If he flounders, however, Chicago will likely turn over to Foles quickly.
Does Jimmy Graham have anything left in the tank?
Entering his 11th NFL season, Graham has had a great NFL career. The problem is, we haven’t seen Graham be a dominant force at tight end since 2014 to be frank. After failing to establish himself in a depleted Green Bay Packers passing offense with Aaron Rodgers, I highly doubt he’ll be able to come through in Chicago with the Trubisky/Foles tandem, especially given this offseason.
Will Anthony Miller have his Yr. 3 wide receiver breakout?
The 2018 second-round pick took a step forward as a sophomore, finishing 2019 with more receptions and receiving yards than the year prior. Miller, however, failed to truly emerge onto the scene, finishing as WR54 in PPR leagues. A concern with Miller is that he will be turning 26-years-old this season. There’s a decent chance that we may have already seen the best out of him. However, if either one of Foles or Trubisky provides some stability at QB, Miller could easily take his production to another level. He has the athletic profile that suggests there is another level to his game.
What is David Montgomery’s ceiling?
Montgomery is not the most athletic running back in the NFL, he’s more of an elusive, bruising type of back. The Bears’ passing attack didn’t do a great job drawing attention away from him in 2019, as he ran against a stacked box on roughly 20% of his runs. In PPR leagues, his upside will continued to be capped by the presence of Tarik Cohen, who has hauled in 150 receptions over the past two seasons. I’d say Montgomery’s absolute ceiling lies somewhere between RB14-RB18, but he’ll need a lot of things to go right to finish there.
Sleeper: Anthony Miller
Miller has the athletic metrics that make me believe he has more to offer. Obviously, the uncertain QB situation is a knock against his fantasy prospects, but with an NFFC ADP of 145.72, he’s going late enough in a draft that I’m willing to take a flier on him.
Bust: Tarik Cohen
Cohen is someone who really doesn’t hold a whole lot of upside. I’m willing to say that his RB13 finish in PPR for 2018 was an outlier. With Montgomery in Chicago, his role is strictly the pass-catching back. Sure, there’s some nice stability given the amount of volume he receives, but finishing as a top-20 option at running back doesn’t seem likely.
Bears Players in Rally Towel’s Top-200 Fantasy Football Rankings
20. WR, Allen Robinson
56. RB, David Montgomery
107. WR, Anthony Miller
128. RB, Tarik Cohen
168. DEF, Bears
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