Crimson Tide NFL Team Rundown: Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears were the worst team in the NFL last season, finishing a horrendous 3-14, and last in the NFC North. They then traded out of the top spot in the 2023 NFL Draft because even though the team is in rebuilding mode, they already had a key piece with third-year quarterback Justin Fields.

The Bears' offensive line is being projected as the 14th best in the NFL for 2023. They drafted Darnell Wright from Tennessee in the first round to be an anchor at right tackle, while 2022 fifth-round pick Braxton Jones is expected to take his next step protecting Fields' blind side.

Chicago also added some weapons for the young quarterback, including trading for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool at the trade deadline. The deal with Carolina Panthers for the No. 1 pick, which was used to select Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young, included another wide receiver, DJ Moore, and a flurry of other draft picks, including the Panthers 2024 first-round pick.

Defensively, Chicago has a solid linebacker corps, led by 2023 free agent signing Tremaine Edmunds, who was a five-year starter for the Buffalo Bills from 2018 to 2022. They also signed TJ Edwards, who spent four years with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2019 to 2022, starting the last two.

Of course, Chicago's secondary is led by former Crimson Tide safety Eddie Jackson, who has been a staple for the Bears since his rookie season in 2017, starting in the vaunted secondary as a rookie.

During his best season, 2018, Jackson was in on only 51 tackles, but he cemented his playmaker status with two forced fumbles with one fumble recovery, fifteen passes defended, six interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns.

Jackson had not recorded more than two interceptions in a season again until 2022, when he had four picks, but that was in part due to how the Bears were using him. As a free safety, Jackson plays his best football when he is allowed to roam the field, watching the eyes of the quarterback, and being able to make a read on the ball to go make a play. Former Chicago safety Adrian Amos allowed Jackson to play to his strengths before Amos signed with the rival Green Bay Packers in 2019.

However, with the development of Jaquan Briskner at strong safety last season, Jackson responded with his best season since losing Amos. Chicago is hoping for even more progress by Briskner, which would allow Jackson and the rest of the Bears defensive backs to play to their strengths, and give even the best quarterbacks trouble.

In addition to Jackson, the Chicago roster includes a pair of talented for Crimson Tide players, who haven't found their niche yet in the NFL: offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, and linebacker Terrell Lewis.

Leatherwood was a first-round draft pick in 2021 following a national championship win, and named the starting offensive tackle out of the gate. But he struggled and was moved to guard after just four games at tackle. He was released by the Raiders prior to the start of the 2022 season. Leatherwood's versatility will help him, but he still needs to show progress to make the 53-man roster.

Linebacker Terrell Lewis was a third-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020. He played in 11 games in both 2021 and 2022, and he was a part of the Rams team that won the Super Bowl. He has six sacks in his NFL career, along with one interception and one fumble recovery. Lewis was cut in December and signed to the Bears practice squad. The preseason could be huge for his future as he'll be competing against the likes of free agent addition Tremaine Edmunds, and fifth-round rookie Noah Sewell.

The NFC North is expected to take a step back this season, with the Packers and Vikings making significant offseason moves (including Aaron Rogers being traded) and the Lions looking like a possible playoff contender. That being said, it still looks unrealistic for Chicago to make much noise unless Fields makes a huge leap forward. More likely, is that the Bears stay focussed on their multi-year rebuild. If they can angle for a top-ten draft pick in 2024, and utilize their first-rounder from Carolina, Chicago can add enough talent through free agency and the draft to be a legitimate NFC North contender in 2024.

Active Chicago Bears

#72 Alex Leatherwood, OL
#4 Eddie Jackson, DB
#52 Terrell Lewis, LB