Bear Necessities: Eddie Goldman’s return benefits everyone on defense

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For the last few years, Eddie Goldman has flown under-the-radar as one of the NFL’s most solid nose tackles. Goldman has been a key component to the success of the Bears’ defensive line, where he’s done a lot of the dirty work in the trenches, mostly without the recognition.

So when the Bears had play without him last year — after he opted out of the season due to COVID-19 concerns — it wasn’t ideal. Although, one of the bright spots was the emergence of Bilal Nichols, who thrived at both nose tackle and defensive end. But the absence of Goldman was certainly felt, especially against the run.

While Bears fans are certainly delighted that Goldman is retuning this season, perhaps no one is happier than outside linebacker Khalil Mack, who recognizes the impact Goldman has on the rest of the defense.

“When you got a nose that can take on double teams — that’s a thousand pounds — and make it look easy, shed blocks, make it hard for those running backs to get out of the backfield, it’s hell for those guards and center,” Mack said.

“Just understanding his strengths, he brings all the intangibles. Not only stopping the run, but he can pass rush as well. Just having a guy like that back is huge.”

The Bears are hoping Goldman’s return can help jumpstart this defense and perhaps give us shades of 2018, when the Bears had the best run defense in the NFL. When you take away the run, it makes it easier to get after the quarterback, which really helped Chicago in tallying a league-high 36 turnovers that season.

When looking back at last year, Goldman had just one regret about opting out of the 2020 season.

“The only regret that I do have is just the fact that my teammates went to battle without me, you know?” he said. “That’ll be my only regret.”

But Goldman’s return to the battlefield can only mean good things for this defense heading into the 2021 season.

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