Ever since middle linebacker Brian Urlacher retired, the Bears’ defense has been horrid. 2015 was a new low, as the Bears ranked 30th in Adjusted Defensive NEP per play with their new-look 3-4 defense. Still transitioning from the 4-3, the Bears had a lot of pieces out of place in their defensive lineup last year and needed to find true talents to replace them.

Thankfully for them, Danny Trevathan left the Broncos and Jerrell Freeman walked from the Indianapolis Colts, to form a “Bash Brothers”-esque duo in the interior of the Chicago front seven. Last year, the Bears allowed a 0.03 Rushing NEP per play up the middle on defense (51.32 percent Success Rate). With Trevathan, the Broncos posted a -0.08 Rushing NEP per play (35.48 percent). It may not be the “Monsters of Midway,” but the Bears are getting back to being dominant on defense.