Chicago Bears' Best Fantasy Options Not Named Jay Cutler

It isn't often you can cruise over your fantasy football notes and check off players that intrigue you, and then later find that a large handful of those players came from the Chicago Bears offense. 

Nonetheless, front office wizard and Bears' general manager Phil Emery changed the tone in Chicago and made some big-time offensive signings for the Bears this upcoming season.

Many of those signings will have big time fantasy implications that you should attempt to exploit against your opponent this season. 

Fantasy football is one of my favorite past times, therefor I'm going to make it yours as well, leaving me no choice but to present to you the best fantasy football options the Chicago Bears will field this season. 

Minus Jay Cutler, of course, because he's the man. And he has a really good looking fiance.  

Brandon Marshall, Wide Receiver

Brandon Marshall is one of the elite wide receivers in this league—when he's not playing like a lazy bum.  

And now reunited with his old gunslinger, Jay Cutler, I believe Marshall will put up the numbers he did in Denver alongside Cutler. 

Those numbers (brace yourself), were astounding—206 catches, 2,590 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons. Cutler also made the lone Pro Bowl of his career while the two were together.

I don't think there is any denying that the two bring out the best in each other and that means nothing but the best for the Bears' aerial attack in 2012-13. 

If he keeps his head on straight, look for Brandon Marshall to give the Bears their first 1,000-yard receiving season since Marty Booker did it in 2002. 

Matt Forte, Running Back

I can still feel the wind gusting from the collective sigh of relief Bears' nation let out when news broke that Matt Forte would no longer be holding out. 

Now that we're 100 percent certain Forte will be playing, he becomes the most obvious, and probably highest drafted player on this short list. 

While he's arguably the most versatile running back in the game, there are going to be obvious concerns regarding the knee injury that sidelined him for the final five weeks of last season.

Forte also doesn't need to bear the large majority of the touches—rushing and receiving—like he did the last few season because of all the added weapons Chicago has added on offense.

With his current ESPN average draft position at 15.8, he's certainly an asset that I would take a chance on in the second round of my fantasy football draft.  

Chicago Bears, D/ST

The Chicago Bears defense and special teams unit has been one of the consistent and productive for fantasy owners the last five seasons. 

However, there is no questions that they are aging and may have lost a half step or so, so proceed with caution. 

There is, one thing I do like for the Bears' D/ST unit heading into this season and that is Devin Hester might be thrown back into the fold a bit more now that they've added a respectable receiving core. 

ESPN fantasy projections still consider the Bears' to be a top three unit for this upcoming season so I think you'll be more than safe if you select the Monsters of the Midway. 

Michael Bush, Running Back

Michael Bush was one of my favorite offseason signings for the Bears because of how much potential it brought to the table.

There is no question the Bears' were one of the worst teams in offense on converting third downs, especially on the ground. So the front office went out and signed third-down specialist Bush to help keep drives alive. 

Also, there really isn't an argument to how mediocre Matt Forte can be around the goal line, and that's exactly where Bush's fantasy value comes into play. 

It's inevitable, he's going to steal some of Matt Forte's touchdowns, as well as, come in on spot duty and third downs. He certainly has value, and that could increase even more should Forte's knee injury pose any problems anywhere down the road.