Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL 2017 preview: Looking at strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for all 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 33
Next
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Mitchell Trubisky (North Carolina) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right) as he is selected as the number 2 overall pick to the Chicago Bears in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Mitchell Trubisky (North Carolina) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right) as he is selected as the number 2 overall pick to the Chicago Bears in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Bears

2016 Record: 3-13, Fourth Place in the NFC North

What were the Chicago Bears thinking in the NFL Draft?

OK, so Mitchell Trubisky might have been the top-ranked quarterback on draft day. But the Bears are one of those teams needing a plethora of help this offseason. Trading off three picks — two in 2017 and one in 2018 — to move up from No. 3 to No. 2 overall didn’t help matters.

Especially considering they would have had Trubisky if they stayed put.

At any rate, Trubisky will compete with offseason pickup, quarterback Mike Glennon (yes, quite the QB competition) for the starting job this season. It’s anything but ideal.

Whoever wins will be without the services of wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who left town via free agency to join the Philadelphia Eagles.

Adding tight end Adam Shaheen via the draft may help. But all signs are pointing to a very long season in Chicago.

Strengths

Running back Jordan Howard is going to get a lot of work this year. That’s not a bad thing, especially considering he posted over 1,300 yards on the ground last season.

Chicago’s secondary, under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and secondary coach Ed Donatell, overachieved last year. This group will have to do so again in order to keep the Bears defense relevant.

Weaknesses

Where to start? The quarterbacking situation is ugly. The Bears don’t have any offensive playmakers outside of Howard. And the defensive front seven remains a work in progress.

These are just some of the reasons the Bears wound up dead last on Niner Noise’s post-NFL Draft power rankings.

Related Story: Post-NFL Draft Power Rankings for All 32 Teams

With head coach John Fox likely on the hot seat, the situation couldn’t be much worse for a Chicago team in turmoil.

At least quarterback Jay Cutler isn’t in the picture anymore.

X-Factors

Opponents will be wise to take Howard out of the picture. Doing so will put pressure on Glennon, who likely starts anyway, to prove he is worth the lucrative offseason deal he received. Keep in mind, Glennon hasn’t started a game since 2014. So he’s an unquestionable X-factor here.