The Bears won their first home game in over 392 days when they beat the Raiders 30-12 on Sunday. The team looked dominant in all phases for only the second time this season.
Today’s five takeaways will look much different than we saw last time since we have a lot to be happy about after the massive win.
1. The Bears need to pay Jaylon Johnson
Jaylon Johnson, playing in the last year of his rookie contract, is looking to be the next corner to sign a long-term contract extension. Johnson has remained adamant about signing that next contract with the Chicago Bears.
In the game against the Raiders, Johnson had two interceptions, including one that he returned for a touchdown and then went to the camera and celebrated by sending Bears GM Ryan Poles a message to pay him.
While Jaylon Johnson doesn’t bring in many interceptions, he is one of the best coverage corners in the NFL. Since entering the NFL in 2020, Johnson has 111 tackles, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 34 pass breakups.
Letting Jaylon walk would be one of Ryan Poles’ worst decisions since being named the general manager of the Bears.
2. Tyson Bagent seemed comfortable in the Bears offense
In his first start in the NFL, Tyson Bagent was highly efficient, with a completion percentage of 72% off of 29 passing attempts. Bagent also finished the game with 162 passing yards and a touchdown to running back D’Onta Foreman.
In all but three offensive drives, Bagent led the Bears down the field and put points on the board.
Bagent was the perfect game manager for the Bears’ offense since starting quarterback Justin Fields sat out with a thumb injury.
Bagent seemed very poised in the pocket regardless of having Maxx Crosby coming off the edge while even having a Mahomes-esque no-look throw to wide receiver Tyler Scott in the first start of his NFL career.
It will be interesting to see how he performs next week in Los Angeles against the Chargers on Sunday Night Football, barring Justin Fields returns from his dislocated thumb.
3. Chicago has a top-five running back room
With the injuries to both Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson, we have seen the emergence of D’Onta Foreman being the Bears lead back. In 2022, D’Onta Foreman had 914 yards and six touchdowns in only nine games, so it wasn’t surprising to see him have the game he did.
Focusing on the run was necessary for the Bears offense due to the uncertainty of Tyson Bagent, and it paid off as D’Onta Foreman had 89 yards and two touchdowns alongside Darrynton Evans with 48 yards,
4. Tremaine Edmunds has been worth the contract
The most significant free agent addition was, by far, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Despite not struggling the first few games, Edmunds has become a staple of this Chicago Bears defense.
So far in the young season, Edmunds has totaled 62 tackles, one fumble recovery, and one interception.
At this rate, Edmunds is on pace for 150 tackles, seven TFLs, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.
Pairing Edmunds with T.J. Edwards and Jack Sanborn is essential in developing the young linebacking core.
5. The 2024 NFL Draft still runs through Chicago
Despite winning, the Chicago Bears hold two top-three picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bears are in line to take one of the top quarterback prospects, if they feel Justin Fields isn’t the guy, and either Marvin Harrison Jr or one of the best edge rushers.
Will the Chicago Bears be in this position come April? Most likely not, but with it being week seven and still holding those two picks, it seems more like a possibility than before.
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