8 Bold Bears predictions for the 2021 season

We’re less than a week away from the Chicago Bears opening up their 2021 season in prime time against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football, and while the schedule makers didn’t do the Bears any favors this year, the Bears certainly have a chance to make a bold statement in front of a national audience.

It’ll be a tough game no doubt, and the season is lined up to be a tough one too, but this is a team that has gone 28-20 in Matt Nagy’s three years with two playoff appearances.

Let’s check in on some bold Bears predictions for the 2021 season from the WCG staffers, some of which are bolder than other.

Josh Sunderbruch: By the end of the season, the Bears offense is going to rank ahead of its defense.

Jeff Berckes: Allen Robinson II breaks Brandon Marshall’s single season record for receiving yards (1508).

Patti Curl: The Bears sweep the Packers but lose to the Lions.

ECD: Matt Nagy will play Justin Fields much sooner than what his “plan” dictated. And, as a result, Justin Fields will double up on all rookie passing records - which won’t be hard to do to begin with.

Sam Householder: At season’s end everyone is saying that trading up for Justin Fields was a bigger mistake than Mitch Trubisky. He will be mentioned in the same regard as Cade McNown.

Just joking.

Darnell Mooney averages 17 yards per catch and catches 10 touchdowns.

Jack R Salo: The Bears schedule is an fascinating one: AWAY-HOME-AWAY-HOME-(repeat). Without any back-to-back home games (or away games, for that matter), it could be difficult for the Bears to get settled into momentum streaks. That means they’ll look elsewhere for a boost: Week 11, coming off a bye. That’s right, your Chicago Bears knock the Baltimore Ravens down a peg at Soldier Field. It will make for Matt Nagy’s first win coming off a bye in his Bears tenure.

Robert Zeglinski: I want to stress this by saying that Matt Nagy is not as good of a head coach as Andy Reid. It’s not even worth discussing. But, that is his coaching mentor, and that is the school of thought he comes from, especially in regards to quarterback development.

When Reid had two top quarterback prospects, Donovan McNabb and Patrick Mahomes, he sat them for months. In McNabb’s circumstance, which is more relevant here, where one off-season acquisition Doug Pederson held him back, he didn’t start until November.

Pederson was one of the league’s worst quarterbacks and the Eagles began 2-7, including an 0-4 start.

The team situation didn’t matter. McNabb waited, and waited.

So, regardless of how Andy Dalton plays, and regardless of the Bears’ record during his time as the starter, we will not see Justin Fields start a game until at least the month of November. Nagy’s job is not on the line — you don’t trade up for a new quarterback without a measure of healthy job security. He will not be pressured to play Fields until he absolutely wants to, as he follows the model of the man who gave him everything in pro football.

Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: The Bears will sneak into the playoffs again as the 7th seed, but the offense, behind rookie Justin Fields, will be on such a roll to end the season that head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace will each be given contract extensions in the offseason.

Share some of your bold Bears predictions for this year in the comment section.