Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears: Top 5, Bottom 5 Performers thru 2 Weeks according to Pro Football Focus

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Chicago Bears haven’t played well through the first two games of the season. Here is how they have graded out thus far.

Are the Chicago Bears bad? Probably. Are the Chicago Bears playing poorly? Definitely. It’s been a bumpy first couple games of the season. The fan base rather annoyed as they are looking straight in the eyes of another terrible season. Bears fans had hope coming into this year and those hopes have been quickly dashed by an 0-2 start and some ugly second halves.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Bears grades reflect their poor play, but not everyone is struggling. Here is a look at the top 5 and bottom 5 graded Bears’ players through two games of the season.

Lowest Scores

5. Danny Trevathan, ILB, 47.0

Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Trey Burton (47) carries the ball as Chicago Bears inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) pushes out of bonds during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

This one is disappointing to see and also shows how sometimes PFF grades can be puzzling. Trevathan, of course, was Ryan Pace’s prized off season acquisition and played well in week one scoring an 80.1 average from PFF.

There’s no question that Trevathan’s performance in week two was poor. He missed a couple tackles and was out of position a few times in pass coverage. Whether Trevathan’s performance was bad enough to drop his season grade 33 points is a little bit of a head-scratcher.

To make matters worse, Trevathan will now be sidelined multiple weeks because of thumb surgery. The Bears will hope he can get back as quickly as possible and get him back on the field because he will desperately be needed to take this defense to the next level.

4. Jonathan Bullard, DE, 44.6

Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

This one is unfortunate to see but tough to argue. Bullard’s score is based on significantly less playing time than others on this list but he has been out there for 39 defensive snaps which is enough to get a snap shot as to how he’s played this year.

Personally, I thought Bullard was going to have the best season of any Bears’ rookie and quickly replace Mitch Unrein in the starting line-up. But to this point, Unrein has outplayed Bullard. Bullard has a lightning quick first step and spent many plays in the backfield at Florida and during the preseason, but that hasn’t translated yet to the regular season.

Bullard still has all the right tools to succeed at the NFL level, but like it is for many rookies, there is transition time to success at the NFL level. I would expect Bullard’s play to continue to improve this season, but to this point, he hasn’t made an impact on the defensive side of the ball.

3. Leonard Floyd, OLB, 43.6

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) reacts after sacking Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

See Jonathan Bullard. I know most NFL analysts didn’t expect Floyd to play as much as he has so far this season. But unfortunately for Floyd, he’s been thrust into action thanks to the injury to Pernell McPhee and now Lamarr Houston.

Floyd is raw and underweight, but he has shown his athletic side and gotten to the quarterback on a couple of occasions. Unfortunately, he has trouble separating from blockers on the run and if he can’t beat his blocker on straight speed, he can’t get a push into the backfield on pass rushes.

Floyd still gets a pass because of his rookie status and will continue to improve throughout this season. Floyd will see plenty of action over the next few weeks as the Bears are rather thin at outside linebacker until McPhee returns.

2. Jeremy Langford, RB, 42.6

Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jeremy Langford (33) rushes the ball Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

This is another one that isn’t surprising. Langford has found the end zone a couple times, but his yards per carry is low and he hasn’t shown much explosion down to down. He’s been bottled up at the line of scrimmage and when he does have daylight, he’s not bursting it for big gains.

With Ka’Deem Carey battling an injury, Langford may see his playing time decrease at the hands of Jordan Howard. That may be the best thing for Langford. He may just not be a typical “work horse” and may be better off with 5-10 touches per game in a change of pace role.

The Cowboys run defense is not good, so Langford has a chance to see this number go up after week three. Either way, he has opened the door to lose playing time to Howard and Carey (once he’s healthy).

1. Bobby Massie, RT, 30.5

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) rushes against Chicago Bears tackle Bobby Massie (70) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

This is the least surprising name on the bottom five list and a stone cold lock that he’d be the worst performer on the team. Bobby Massie’s pass blocking has been abysmal and that’s putting it lightly. His pass blocking grade is a 26.5 and he’s routinely left Jay Cutler open to getting drilled by opponents.

Even if Massie’s isn’t surrendering sacks, he’s allowing defenders into the backfield to force Cutler to make quick decisions and take a hit when he throws the football. Massie is known as a solid run blocker. His run blocking has been better but he’s still struggled in that aspect as well.

Example, the Bears were driving in the third quarter down 9-7 with a chance to get the lead. Jordan Howard had sparked the offense and they had a 2nd and 2 at midfield. Langford came back in the game and on the second down play, Massie allowed massive pressure into the backfield, blowing up Langford on a 5-yard loss. Cutler was incomplete on third down and the Bears punted. The Eagles came down and scored and didn’t look back. That play may have been the play that was the “beginning of the end” for the Bears on Monday night and that has been very typical of Massie’s season.

Highest Scores

5. Adrian Amos, S, 79.6

Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek (87) carries the ball as Chicago Bears free safety Adrian Amos (38) defends during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

This is typical Adrian Amos. Does everything well but nothing spectacular. That’s not a knock on him. That is a compliment. Amos is a definite keeper for the Bears long term plans, what he needs is playmakers around him.

Amos typically won’t dominate a game for the defense, but he’s a smart player that puts himself exactly where he needs to be to succeed. The Bears need to build up their secondary around Amos and keep him on the roster as the steady player who rarely makes mistakes.

4. Eddie Goldman, NT, 80.6

Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman (91) lays on the ground after bein injured during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field. Philadelphia won 29-14. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

This just shows exactly how tough it will be for the Bears to absorb this Eddie Goldman injury over the next few weeks. Goldman was playing well and was quickly proving himself to be one of the Bears’ most effective players regadless of what side of the ball he plays on.

to make matters worse, the Bears don’t have any true nose tackles behind Goldman and will rely on the likes of Will Sutton to keep the middle of the defense together. With no Goldman and no Trevathan, it won’t be easy and the Bears defense will certainly suffer.

Hopefully Goldman will be back on the field sooner rather than later. The Bears need him.

3. Kyle Long, G, 80.7

Aug 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kyle Long (75) during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

The offensive line hasn’t been all bad. Charles Leno was better last week (Bobby Massie wasn’t) and Cody Whitehair showed improvement as well. Josh Sitton has been solid and this guy is once again proving to be the rock up front.

Long isn’t just a leader on the offensive line, he’s a leader of the team. He gets his job done play after play and proves why he was worth the extension the Bears gave him. If the middle three of the offensive line continue to gel and Leno gets back to where he was last season, the Bears offensive line might not be as bad as it looks right now. Now only if they can lock Massie in a closet at Halas Hall and lose the key.

2. Jacoby Glenn, CB, 82.6

Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Josh Huff (13) carries the ball as Chicago Bears cornerback Jacoby Glenn (39) tackles during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Glenn has been a really nice surprise this season and is quickly earning himself more reps. Glenn’s coverage has been very solid and he’s proving to be an asset in the secondary. Between Glenn, Deiondre Hall and Bryce Callahan, the Bears might have some legitimate corners that could develop into a formidable secondary.

If Glenn and company continue to improve, perhaps Kyle Fuller can move to safety where he could really blossom into an asset in the defensive backfield instead of a liability. When Fuller gets back, Tracy Porter is the one who should get his playing time reduced and not any of the corners listed above.

1. Jerrell Freeman, ILB, 87.2

Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman (50) reacts after making a tackle against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

There isn’t even a question who this best player for the Chicago Bears has been the first two games of the season. Freeman has been as good as advertised and even better. He’s been excellent against the run, brought some pressure on blitz packages and he’s been solid in pass coverage.

Freeman is a playmaker. While Trevathan is steady and just makes tackles, Freeman is the guy that can make a huge play and turn the momentum of the game. He’s been the Bears’ MVP through two games and you should expect that to continue as the season progresses.

Bill Zimmerman is an editor and featured writer for FanSided‘s BearGogglesOn. Like his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter for more news and interaction.