Introduction to the Bears’ Rookies
Running back Kyle Monangai, a seventh-round draft pick, is the Bears’ rookie of the year through six games. Is that a good thing? Probably not, when their top three picks in Ben Johnson’s first season as head coach were offensive players — tight end Colston Loveland (first round, 10th overall), wide receiver Luther Burden (second round, 39th) and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (second round, 56th).
Performance of the Bears’ Rookies
All four players, even Monangai, were considered potential breakout performers based on Johnson’s history in Detroit, where first-year offensive players became immediate contributors: running back Jahmyr Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta and wide receiver Jameson Williams. But in a formative offense with a second-year quarterback — probably a bigger job than Johnson envisioned — the Bears’ rookies are still finding their way. Loveland has eight receptions for 78 yards (9.8 yards per catch) and no touchdowns. That’s nothing to panic over, but it’s worth noting that Tyler Warren, the tight end whom most thought the Bears would take in the first round, is thriving with the upstart Colts: 33 receptions for 439 yards (13.3 average) and three touchdowns.
Comparison with Other Rookies
Burden has shown flashes of excitement, but his production has been modest: 12 receptions for 172 yards (14.3 average) and one touchdown, a 65-yarder against the Cowboys. Trapilo was unable to win not only the starting left tackle job but also the backup job and was moved back to right tackle, his position at Boston College. He’s now the backup to presumed mainstay Darnell Wright. Monangai is the current head of the class. He had 13 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown in the Bears’ 26-14 victory over the Saints on Sunday, matching the production he had in the first five games combined (22 carries, 81 yards).
Impact on the Team’s Performance
With 35 carries for 162 yards (4.6 average), he’s ahead of the Patriots’ TreVeyon Henderson (43-153, 3.6 average), one of the players the Bears just missed getting in the draft. Then again, Monangai isn’t even the most productive rookie back taken in the seventh round. The Commanders’ Jacory Croskey-Merritt, taken 12 picks after Monangai, has rushed for 377 yards (5.2 average) and four touchdowns in seven games. Be that as it may, the fact the Bears are 4-2 and 10th in the NFL in scoring without breakout production from their top three rookies bodes well for an offense that historically disappoints but has actual hope under Johnson.
The Ben Johnson Effect
“We still haven’t played the best football that we’re capable of playing yet,” Johnson said after the victory over the Commanders last Monday — and that holds true after a sloppy offensive performance that still resulted in 26 points against the Saints. The Bears aren’t 10th in scoring because Rex Grossman is playing like an MVP candidate, as was the case in 2006. They’re 10th in scoring with a lot of room for improvement and a coach at the wheel who has done this before. Their rookies — Loveland and Burden in particular — offer hope that this offense is only getting started.
On the Other Hand
The Bears had four sacks and seven quarterback hits on the Saints’ Spencer Rattler, but little of the pressure came from the right side against left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., who has been the plug-and-play rookie the Bears were looking for in the draft. The Saints took Banks at No. 9, one spot before the Bears took Loveland at No. 10. Such was the price the Bears paid (three draft spots) for beating the Packers in Week 17 last season.
Coaching Matters
Caleb Williams’ 61.7 passer rating is the Bears’ lowest when scoring 25 or more offensive points since 1989, when Mike Tomczak produced 31 points in a 38-7 rout of the Vikings at Soldier Field, completing 10 of 26 passes for 142 yards, one touchdown and one interception for a 53.7 rating. Since the beginning of the Jay Cutler era in 2009, when Bears quarterbacks have been in the bad-but-not-horrendous range (passer ratings of 55-65), the Bears have averaged 13.4 offensive points per game. Coaching matters.
Fun Facts
The Bears have scored 21 or more points in their first six games for the first time since 1995, when they finished eighth in scoring with Erik Kramer at quarterback but missed the playoffs at 9-7. It’s only the second time they have done it since 1958. It’s also the first time the Bears have scored 21 or more points in six consecutive games at any point of the season since 2018, when they had a streak of nine straight under Matt Nagy.
Believe it or Not
At this time last season, the Bears also were 4-2, and 12th in the NFL in scoring. They were coming off victories over the Panthers (36-10) and Jaguars (35-16), having scored five or more offensive touchdowns in back-to-back games for the first time since 1956. Three weeks later, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was fired. Eighteen days after that, coach Matt Eberflus was fired. Life comes at you fast in the NFL.
Williams’ Inaccuracy
Williams’ inaccuracy is a red flag until it isn’t. He completed 15 of 26 passes against the Saints (57.7%) — the third consecutive game he has been below 60%. Opposing quarterbacks have completed 68.5% of their passes this season against the Bears’ next opponent, the Ravens, including 72% (85 of 118) over the last four games.
Upcoming Games
The Ravens also are last in the NFL in scoring defense (32.3 points per game), but held the Rams to 17 in their last game. Last year, the Ravens’ defense improved dramatically after a Week 14 bye, allowing an NFL-low 10.8 points after allowing 24.5 before the bye. Despite a 4-2 record and four-game winning streak, the Bears are 6½-point underdogs against the 1-5 Ravens on Sunday.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Bears’ rookies have been quiet, the team’s overall performance has been promising. With a 4-2 record and 10th in the NFL in scoring, the Bears have shown that they have the potential to be a competitive team. The performance of the rookies, particularly Monangai, Loveland, and Burden, will be crucial in determining the team’s success in the upcoming games.
FAQs
Q: Who is the Bears’ rookie of the year through six games?
A: Kyle Monangai, a seventh-round draft pick, is the Bears’ rookie of the year through six games.
Q: How have the Bears’ top three picks performed so far?
A: The Bears’ top three picks, Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, and Ozzy Trapilo, have been quiet, with Loveland having eight receptions for 78 yards, Burden having 12 receptions for 172 yards, and Trapilo being unable to win the starting left tackle job.
Q: What is the Bears’ record and ranking in scoring?
A: The Bears are 4-2 and 10th in the NFL in scoring.
Q: Who is the Bears’ next opponent?
A: The Bears’ next opponent is the Ravens.
Q: What is the predicted outcome of the game against the Ravens?
A: The Bears are 6½-point underdogs against the 1-5 Ravens.
