2020 NFC North Preview: Will the Bears rebound after last year’s regression?

SB Nation asked each NFL team site to give a quick mini-preview for the 2020 season, and since I already spotlighted the other three NFC North team previews, I figured I’d share what I gave my fellow SB Nation NFL sites about the Chicago Bears here.

I’ll keep the format the same as the other divisional previews I shared, with the blockquote text being the original response (my original response) and the italicized text being some of my additional takes on each subject.

*I’ll be breaking down each position on Chicago's roster in a more detailed camp preview series starting tomorrow.

Notable free agency additions: Robert Quinn (edge), Jimmy Graham (TE), Germain Ifedi (OG), and via trade Nick Foles (QB)

Besides those guys above, Tashaun Gipson will likely be starting at safety and Barkevious Mingo will be a core special teamer and third outside linebacker.

Over/under 10 wins? Under (but I could see a push being likely as well)

This one is all about the quarterback spot. If the Bears get better play from that position this year they will improve on last season’s eight wins. With the expanded playoff format a 9-7 record may be all that’s needed to earn a wildcard spot, and 10 wins is a damn near guaranteed postseason appearance.

Rookie I’m most excited about: Cole Kmet may take a while to get acclimated to the pro game, as do most rookie tight ends, but he has the skill set and athleticism to thrive in the Bears system.

I’m probably a bit biased on this one as I’m a long time fan of the tight end position and how play-callers utilize it.

Best position battle heading into training camp: Besides the quarterback spot, which will be the battle that gets all the publicity, who starts at cornerback opposite Kyle Fuller will be one I’m keeping an eye on. Rookie Jaylon Johnson will try to take the job from third year pro Kevin Toliver II, who only has 2 starts as a pro.

This is really the only starting position that is a true question mark on the entire roster. Sure the QB spot will have a battle, but at least the quarterbacks have had plenty of in game action.

Biggest storyline heading into training camp: Since it’s the most important position in sports, Nick Foles vs Mitchell Trubisky will be the talk of camp. The Bears didn’t get the type of jump in play they expected from Trubisky in 2019, so they brought in a veteran that has already performed well in a variation of this offense. My guess is Foles eventually wins the job and starts week one, but Mitch will likely see some time on the field in 2020 too.

I think Matt Nagy will want to identify his week one starter as soon as possible.

Under-the-radar storyline heading into training camp: The wide receiver room is set at the top with Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, and Ted Ginn Jr., so seeing which of Javon Wims, Riley Ridley, or rookie Darnell Mooney can step up will be interesting to watch.

This group is more talented than a lot of people realize, but if the Bears are planning to be a team that runs more 12 personnel this season that could mean one less wide out makes the roster.

Notable injuries heading into training camp: None

When’s the last time the Bears didn’t have a worrisome injury at this point in the offseason? Mitchell Trubisky, Roquan Smith, Anthony Miller, and Akiem Hicks all appear to be recovered from last season’s ailments.