Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
Who is the Bears' No. 1 receiver going to be this season?
Vinnie B.
There's a long way to go before the start of the regular season, but if I had to guess right now I would say that Cameron Meredith is going to be the No. 1 receiver. He led the Bears with 66 receptions for 888 yards and four touchdowns and will only get better because he's still learning the position. As you probably know, Meredith played quarterback his first three years at Illinois State before switching to receiver. Here's what general manager Ryan Pace had to say about him Wednesday when the Bears reported to training camp in Bourbonnais: "What's intriguing about him is just with his size and stature, his ability to get in and out of breaks, his route quickness, and then his catching radius. He's got really good body control to kind of make adjustments on balls thrown behind and outside his frame. But he's a very good route runner for his size."
What is the health status of Kyle Fuller and has the coaching staff lost faith in him?
E.A. Maes
After missing all of last season with a knee injury, cornerback Kyle Fuller participated in the offseason program and remains healthy entering training camp. General manager Ryan Pace on Wednesday lauded the work that Fuller has done over the past few months, saying: "He had a good OTAs and really a good offseason. For him, it was stringing together healthy practices and he has done that. He has been working hard. I think the key for him is just staying healthy and putting together consistent practices. In terms of the coaching staff's faith in him, I honestly don't know. If you recall, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio questioned Fuller's determination to get back onto the field late last season. So we'll have to wait and see how that plays out.
Do the Bears have the toughest schedule in the NFL this season? I'd be surprised if they didn't.
Dean P.
The Bears actually play the 19th most difficult schedule in the NFL this season based on the record of their opponents last year. The 12 teams the Bears face in 2017 combined for a .479 winning percentage (122-133-1) in 2016. I was surprised when I researched that probably because the Bears are the only NFL team that opens the 2017 season by playing four straight opponents that had winning records in 2016. Three of those teams—the Falcons (11-5), Steelers (11-5) and Packers (10-6)—won their respective division titles and combined for a 32-16 record. Late in the year, however, the Bears will face the two teams that had the worst records in the league last year in the Browns (1-15) and 49ers (2-14).
