The 2009 Chicago Bears (Featuring 1000 Percent More Jay Cutler)

(Photo by Jim Prisching/Getty Images)

Overview of 2009 Expectations and the Bears Roster

Realistic expectations for the Chicago Bears in 2009 should be to the win the NFC North and compete for an NFC Championship. On paper the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles look to have deeper rosters, but after that the Bears belong in the conversation among top teams in the NFC.

In the NFC North, the Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings all have hopes for winning the division. With each team facing an easy schedule, it may be possible (though probably not likely) that all three teams make the playoffs in a much improved division. 

However, the Bears should go into the season as favorites because of the acquisition of Jay Cutler and offensive line depth, along with a strong 2009 draft.

Consider that the Bears have only had one quarterback, Erik Kramer in 1995, finish in the top ten in defense-adjusted yards above replacement (DYAR) in the last 20 years. Despite this dubious statistic, the Bears have finished with a winning record in three of the last four seasons, winning the NFC North in 2005 and 2006.

Meanwhile Cutler has finished in the top ten in DYAR the last two seasons (his first two full seasons as a starter), finishing fifth in 2008 behind just Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, and Kurt Warner. 

Thanks to Cutler the Broncos won eight games last season despite having the second worst defense statistically in NFL history (only the 2008 Lions were worse) and a plethora of running backs (Michael Pittman, Peyton Hillis, Selvin Young, Ryan Torain) miss multiple games due to injury. 

Combining Cutler and a Bears roster only lacking a top flight quarterback makes for a strong overall unit that compares very favorably to their division and conference rivals.

The addition of Cutler creates a dynamic element to the Bears offense that they sorely lacked last season with Kyle Orton under center.  Cutler’s arm strength and ability to throw the deep ball meshes very well with top receiver Devin Hester’s skills and speed. 

Numerous times last season Orton missed an open Hester deep downfield on plays that could have changed the game, plays that Cutler should capitalize on much more frequently.

Other major benefactors of Cutler’s acquisition should be running back Matt Forte and tight end Greg Olsen. Forte will see far fewer eight man fronts with the threat of Cutler to opposing defenses, making him a much more efficient runner that can consistently break long runs.

Olsen, who quietly had 50 catches and five touchdowns last year, could become an impact player and top threat in the passing game because of Cutler's ability to utilize tight ends (as seen by the strong connection he had with Tony Scheffler in Denver).

After Hester and Olsen (and Forte out of the backfield), the Bears lack  pass catching options. Second year wide receiver Earl Bennett and rookie Juaquin Iglesias will get every chance to break into the line-up as Brandon Lloyd and Rashied Davis have shown to be mediocre at best NFL receivers. 

Failing in an attempt to acquire Anquan Boldin on draft day, the Bears hope Bennett and Iglesias will play like seasoned veterans.

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