Can special teams be very special for the Chicago Bears?
One of the things Poles said he wanted for the Chicago Bears was to have a complete team. We are used to seeing a strong defense, mid-to-low-level offense, and so-so special teams. It looks like that will not be the case in 2024.
We saw how strong the Chicago Bears’ defense was as the 2023 season progressed. Hopefully, that continues into 2024. Now we see how much improved the offense should be after all the additions. Even if the offense does not take a huge jump, it could take enough of a jump to win many more games.
Poles also concentrated on special teams. He surprised many by selecting a punter in the fourth round. Taylor is a special punter, though. He almost singlehandedly kept his Iowa Hawkeyes in many games. He is a record-breaking punter and makes an impact on games by helping the team win the field position battle.
Taylor has the ability to pin opponents deep into their territory. That enables the defense to be aggressive and keep them there. As a result, the offense could get a much shorter field to play. That means many more points scored.
The league made changes to the return game as well. This season, there is a zone between the 20 and the end zone that, if the kick lands there, has to be returned. If the kickoff lands short of the 20, the ball is blown dead and the ball is placed on the 40-yard line. If the ball lands or rolls into the end zone it is a touchback. However, instead of putting the ball on the 25, it will now be placed on the 30.
This will help Velus Jones. While he struggles as a wide receiver, he has done a good job of kickoff returns. He finished seventh in kick return yards in 2022, and fifth in 2023. With the new rules, he will get more opportunities to return kicks. That will make him dangerous. He has great speed and vision in the open field.
The Chicago Bears also made an interesting signing. They added running back Ian Wheeler as an undrafted rookie. Wheeler can help as a running back as a key blocker. He is physical and willing to hit.
Wheeler’s biggest contribution, at least early on, will be on special teams. He has 4.39-40 speed. If Jones has the job as the kickoff returner, Wheeler can get the job as the punt returner. Like Jones, Wheeler can be a killer in the open field. He has great vision and once he gets breaks free it will be difficult to catch him. He averaged 33 yards per return in college. He had three return touchdowns as well. In 2023, he was named to the All-MEAC Second Team.
Add kicker Cairo Santos and his great accuracy and the Chicago Bears will have themselves a great special teams unit in 2024. It will be exciting to see the team score in any of the three facets of the game. We get to see the start of that this week.
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