QB Jay Cutler (Chicago)

Last season, in his first season under Marc Trestman, Jay Cutler set a career high in QB rating, completing 63.1% of his passes for an average of 7.38 YPA, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, a QB rating of 89.2, significantly better than his career average of 84.6. He was even better before suffering an ankle injury week 7, completing 65.9% of his passes for an average of 7.51 YPA, 12 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. The issue is he hasn’t played a full season in 2009. If I had to guess, Cutler will have worse numbers than the combined 4450 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions Bear quarterbacks (Cutler and Josh McCown) threw last season.

4100 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 180 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown (280 pts standard)

RB Matt Forte (Chicago)

Last season Forte was the definition of a three-down back, leading the position in snaps played with 940, 50 snaps more than any other running back in the NFL. It’s rare to find a running back who is well-rounded enough to stay on the field for every passing down and he was a big part of their passing game last season. He rushed for 1339 yards and 9 touchdowns on 289 carries, 4.63 YPC. He also caught 74 passes for 594 yards and 3 touchdowns. If he doesn’t get injured or decline, he should have another strong season, but there’s a good chance he does get injured or decline. He’s going into his age 29 season with 1892 career touches in 6 seasons so it’s starting to become a concern.

270 carries for 1190 yards, 10 total touchdowns, 65 catches for 540 yards (233 pts standard)

WR Brandon Marshall (Chicago)

Marshall has had some issues with teammates and off-the-field, but on-the-field, he’s been as steady as they come, with 7 straight 1000 yard seasons in which he’s missed a combined 4 games. As a result, he’s already 55th all-time in receiving yards with 9050. If I had to guess over/under last year’s 100 catches for 1295 yards and 12 touchdowns, I’d guess under because I don’t expect the Bears to have as good quarterback play this season, with McCown gone, but he’s still a low end WR1.

90 catches for 1220 yards and 9 touchdowns (176 pts standard)

WR Alshon Jeffery (Chicago)

Jeffery caught 89 passes for 140 targets (63.6%) for 1421 yards on 601 routes run, an average of 2.36 yards per route run. He isn’t as proven as Marshall and he didn’t draw as much coverage as Marshall did last season, but he was more productive than him in the passing game last season. He also added 106 yards on the ground. Going into his 3rd year in the league, Jeffery could easily be just as, if not more productive next season.

82 catches for 1240 yards and 9 touchdowns, 80 rushing yards (186 pts standard)

TE Martellus Bennett (Chicago)

A talented backup in Dallas, dominant as a run blocker, but working sparingly in the passing game behind Jason Witten, Bennett, a 2009 2^nd round pick, has broken out as a starter over the past 2 seasons, averaging 60 catches for 693 yards and 5 touchdowns. He should post similar numbers as a low-end TE1 again this season.

59 catches for 710 yards and 5 touchdowns (101 pts standard)

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