LAKE FOREST — Eddie Goldman has trimmed about 15 pounds after his weight peaked at 340 this offseason.

Bears D-line coach Jay Rodgers said Goldman's optimal playing weight is 325, where he is now, and Goldman thinks his foot quickness and stamina will be improved after cutting the weight by paying closer attention to his meal plan, but still allowing cheat days at Buffalo Wild Wings.

Goldman has slimmed down, whereas the rest of the Bears' rebuilding front-seven has bulked up after an offseason of upgrades by Ryan Pace including free-agent prize Akiem Hicks and third-rounder Jonathan Bullard.

"It’s looking like a vicious front, because we have a combination of speed and strength," Goldman said of the expected improvements, especially to Chicago's 25th-ranked pass rush.

Like most of his teammates in recent weeks, Goldman noted the size of Hicks, who at 6-foot-5 and north of 320 pounds, is considerably bigger than 2015 starting left end Jarvis Jenkins. After Hicks last week cited the Miley Cyrus song "Wrecking Ball" to compliment Goldman's power, the Bears' second-year nose tackle didn't know exactly how to respond.

"I heard about that. I don’t know what to think about that. I guess it’s funny," said Goldman, before lauding not only the size but the energy and attiude of Hicks.

Goldman also had praise for the guys he's tasked with protecting, Danny Trevathan and Jerell Freeman.

"They’re high energy guys, they’re fast. They’re just tough, rugged guys," he said.

Indeed, the Bears' front-seven appears largely improved. A second full offseason of Pace and John Fox hand-picking the right pieces for Vic Fangio's 3-4 likely means depending less on misfits and certainly expecting more production from the unit as a whole.

Goldman, of course, was the first defensive draft pick of this regime and one of the few regulars up front in 2015 who shoud remain in a prominent role. After earning PFWA All-Rookie honors for starting 12 games and leading the Bears' D-linemen with 4.5 sacks, he said things are coming easier in Year Two, particularly understanding assignments.

"One of my strengths is my strength, so I’d say my strength," said Goldman of where he'll look to gain an edge as a sophomore. "But I try to focus on the mental part of it, knowing my assignment and knowing what to do, looking at film and the opponent. And that’s something we don’t do in the offseason as much but when we get in the season, I’ll be able to watch film on the opponent and that’ll be another edge I try to get.”

Goldman flashed dominant strength after being pressed into the starting lineup quickly as a rookie. He exceeded expectations individually as a pass rusher, and while the 'D' arguably played better than expected, there's plenty of room for improvement, personally and collectively.

With his comfort level increased, not to mention the talent around him, big things could be in store for Goldman in 2016.

"Things come quicker. In football everything is ‘right now,’ so when you can cut that [thinking] out and just know things second-nature, it saves you time and thinking and makes you more comfortable,” said Goldman.