NFL Fantasy Preview: Chicago Bears

David Montgomery (Alexander Jonesi, Wikimedia Commons)

In a 32-part series leading up to the start of the 2021 National Football League season, we will take a look at each NFL franchise from a fantasy perspective. The eighth team we will review is the Chicago Bears.

The Chicago Bears are one of the National Football League’s most storied franchises. The team has been around since 1920, and won eight championships before winning their only Super Bowl in 1986.

A year ago, the Bears played .500 football at eight wins and eight losses. As a result, they squeaked into the playoffs past the Arizona Cardinals, but struggled offensively in the NFC Wildcard in a 21-9 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

The Bears’ most talented fantasy threat is running back David Montgomery of Cincinnati, Ohio. In his second full NFL season in 2020, Montgomery had 247 rushes for 1070 yards and eight touchdowns with 54 catches for 438 yards and two touchdowns. There is no doubt that Montgomery became a more complete back last season, as he was utilized more in passing situations. He is currently eighth in fantasy football, and the only Bears player ranked in the top 10 for his position.

In the offseason, the Bears signed Andy Dalton to a one-year deal worth $10 million. This is the second straight year that Dalton has signed a one-year deal since being released by the Cincinnati Bengals. In May of 2020, Dalton signed a one-year deal in Dallas to backup Dak Prescott.

Last season with the Cowboys, Dalton was not expected to see much action. However, things changed in week five when Prescott suffered a dislocated and broken ankle against the New York Giants. Even though Dalton experienced a bout of coronavirus and a concussion, he still got into nine games, where he completed 216 passes in 333 attempts for 2170 yards, 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions. It appears Dalton will be the starting quarterback for now over Justin Fields, who the Bears drafted in the first round, 11th overall, in the 2021 NFL Draft. However due to the fact Dalton may not be the starter all season long, he is only ranked 28th among NFL quarterbacks in fantasy.

At wide receiver, Allen Robinson is ranked 12th in fantasy, and will definitely be the number one option for Dalton or Fields. Last year he had a career high in catches with 102, the first time he reached the century mark in receptions. He also had 1250 yards and six touchdowns.

Defensively, the Bears are ranked in the middle of the pack. They are led by six-time Pro Bowler Khalil Mack, who is considered one of the game’s most fierce outside linebackers.

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