Sun-Times expert Patrick Finley breaks down the Bears’ biggest questions after Week 1:
The rest of Mitch Trubisky’s season will be ...
Up and down. And that’s not new. Last year he had passer ratings of 33.3, 61.9 and 69.8 — but also 120.4, 122.5 and 154.6. The Bears insisted Trubisky would make a leap in the second year of Matt Nagy’s offense, and they may indeed be proven right. But it’s foolish to expect consistency from week-to-week.
Which of the top performers from the opener is headed for a huge season?
Wide receiver Allen Robinson. Tuesday marks the two-year anniversary of him tearing his knee, and history says that’s when players truly feel like themselves. And Robinson is unquestionably Trubisky’s favorite target. Over his past two games — the playoff loss and Thursday —he’s caught 17 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown. The rest of the Bears have 25 catches for 286 yards and no scores.
How’s the kicker situation?
Not close to settled. When the Bears decided against a 51-yard try in the warmest home game they’ll have all season, they showed precisely how little faith they have in Eddy Pineiro. He’s well-known for his strong leg; how is 51 yards too long?
What’s the Bears’ biggest non-Trubisky concern?
Nagy couldn’t figure out the right running back rotation or run-pass balance last year. We blamed Jordan Howard, who didn’t fit his system. But Nagy had the same problems Thursday: he ran the ball on only 15 of 65 plays, never handed off to Tarik Cohen and had David Montgomery, their most well-rounded back, touch the ball only seven times.
Do you still think of the Bears as a Super Bowl contender?
Of course. Have you seen their defense?
