Chicago Bears 2018 season recap

During the NFL season, our team of 300-plus staff spend around 20,000 man-hours grading and analyzing every play of the NFL season, from the kickoff in the Hall of Fame game to the final play of the Super Bowl.

Now that the 2018 season is officially in the books, we can now take a look back at the season through the eyes of each NFL team and using the grades and statistics that we have compiled, we and detail what went right, what went wrong and explain what that team has to look forward to.

Below is the 2018 season recap for the Chicago Bears.

Overview

First-year head coach Matt Nagy completely turned around the Bears and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, leading them to a 12-4 record and the NFC North crown.

What went right?

• The investment in Allen Robinson paid off to the tune of 13 games and the Bears' highest overall grade on offense.
• Bookend tackle play of Charles Leno and Bobby Massie were key to keeping Trubisky clean. 

• Eddie Jackson, our coverage defender of the year, put forth the highest coverage grade of any secondary member in the NFL. 
• Tarik Cohen was a weapon out of the backfield and finished with the fifth-highest receiving grade among running backs. 
• Khalil Mack was worth every penny. He had 68 total pressures on 468 pass-rushes, freeing up Akiem Hicks to bring down 51 total pressures from the interior. 

What went wrong?

• Mitchell Trubisky struggled to push the ball down the field consistently. He had the lowest grade of any quarterback on throws targeted 10-plus yards down the field.
• Jordan Howard took a step backward with his effectiveness and had the lowest-graded rushing season of his career

Highest Graded offensive player

WR Allen Robinson – 74.7

Robinson looked back from his ACL injury and put up 754 yards in thirteen games as he was the Bears' leading receiver on the year.

Highest graded defensive player

S Eddie Jackson – 93.2

Jackson led all safeties with eight pass breakups and also led all safeties with six interceptions in a superb season.

Breakout player/Secret Superstar

S Eddie Jackson – 93.2

It’s difficult to break out too much more than Jackson who went from a fringe starter as a rookie to PFF’s coverage player of the year this season.

Key Rookie

DI Bilal Nichols  – 76.4

The fifth-round pick out of Delaware outperformed his draft slot as he racked up 11 run stops on 130 snaps against the run.

In conclusion

The Bears are one of the most complete rosters in the league and should be battling for the NFC North title for a long time.