With so much discourse over the strength of Chicago’s pass catchers this year as well as the concerns shared over the pass rushers, it got me thinking about previous position groups that have led the Bears and others that weighed their respective team down. Here we take a look at some of the most noteworthy position groups in recent memory, starting with the weakest, where I ask:
What is the weakest position group in Bears history?
As I strolled through misery memory lane, I had too difficult a time narrowing it down to just one, so here are my top five.
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2022 Offensive Line
Unfortunately for Bears fans, you don’t have to go back too far to recognize one of the worst position groups in NFL history. Not only did this group lack any top talent, but its best talent was old, and nobody could seem to stay healthy. Featuring rookie 5th rounder Braxton Jones at LT, 30 year old Cody Whitehair at LG, 26 year old Sam Mustipher at Center, 2nd year pro Teven Jenkins at RG and 34 year old Riley Reiff at RT (who would make his final career starts on this Bears team), this group was underwhelming and out of sorts. To ensure this unit would solidify itself as one of the worst OLs in league history with a 13.06 sack per dropback percentage, key reserves like Lucas Patrick, Mike Schofield and Larry Borom would each start at least 5 or more games.
We would get to see some of the most insane runs by a QB this season, but that’s about it.
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2022 Defensive Line
That’s right, the 2022 Offensive line was NOT the only offensive line on that team! No, not by a long shot. Once an ineffective (1 sack in his first 7 games) Robert Quinn would be traded after week 7, this group featured starting ends Trevis Gipson and Al-Quadin Muhammad and tackles Justin Jones and Armon Watts. While AQM would eventually make some noise with Detroit a coupld years after, those four would collectively tally a whopping 8 sacks on the season while aiding in the unit’s last place ranking for net pass yards per attempt, last place in rushing TDs allowed and last place in points allowed on the season.
Much is forgotten about this unit, despite it not being long ago, but reserves Mike Pennel, Angelo Blackson and Dominique Robinson would each start multiple games and contribute to the rough season.
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Justin Jones active penetration in the run game would be noteworthy where he led the team with 12 tackles for a loss.
2017 Wide Receivers
My, how far we have come. Though this 2017 WR corp was only a few short years after an all-time great Bears WR group, this particular unit was quite forgettable.
Led by 2012 first rounder Kendall Wright, the 2017 group also consisted of long-time special teamer Josh Bellamy, veterans Dontrelle Inman, Deonte Thompson, Marcus Wheaton and training camp folk-hero Tanner Gentry. Safe to say none of these players would’ve made most rosters.
Entering his 6th season after being largely considered a bust, Wright would somehow manage to set career lows in Chicago with TDs and his season-long reception while also matching numerous other numbers he hadn’t seen since his rookie season. Wright would not play another down after the 2017 season in Chicago and none of the other WRs would start more games the rest of their career than they did during the infamous 2017 season in Chicago.
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2004 Quarterbacks
If there was one position group where I could have included multiple years in this piece, QB would be it. We Bears fans have suffered multiple lifetimes with our QB play and multiple franchise stats back this up, none more commonly known than the fact Chicago has never yet had a 4,000 yard passer. While that will likely change this coming season, let’s pause and reflect at some of the lowest of lows for Chicago under center.
Sure, I could have gone with Cade McNown, Kordell Stewart, Shane Matthews, Dave Craig, Vince Evans, Bobby Douglas – you get the point – but the 2004 squad was jut a bit more depressing in my opinion.
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Four different QBs would start multiple games in 2004 between Chad Hutchinson (5), Craig Krenzel (5), Rex Grossman (3), and Jonathan Quinn (3). Combined, these gunslingers would wrack up 2,192 yards on 471 attempts with 9 TDs and 16 INTs while “leading” the team to a 5-11 record. Grossman would come into his own and ultimately QB his way to a Super Bowl appearance, but many would claim the defense, Hester and run game carried that 2006 squad. Either way, another group to forget!
1998 Running Backs
For a franchise that seemingly always deploys exceptional RB and LB play, there have been a few bleak years for both positions, perhaps none more so than 1998 at RB.
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Despite spending a top 5 pick on former Penn State Nittany Lion Curtis Enis, it would be 29 year old former Packer Edgar Bennett that would take over the lead role that season in what could easily be considered the most dreaded year of video game play for Bears fans across the globe.
Bennett would average a paltry 3.5 yards per carry and score a whopping 2 TDs en route to 611 yards rushing and 209 yards receiving (0 TDs) Enis would start just one game and himself average a measly 3.7 yards per carry and undrafted rookie backup James Allen would lead the team with 4.7 yards per tote with two starts to his name.
I hope none of you owned Tecmo Super Bowl or Madden during this period.
What about you?! Which position group comes to mind as one of the most challenging units to support in your career as a fan? Sound off below! And don’t worry, we will discuss the BEST groups later this week!
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