After upgrading at a number of positions this offseason, the Chicago Bears are a preferred sleeper decide to probably make an under-the-radar run to the postseason in 2024.
Listed below are the franchise’s 5 most respected folks in 2024:
5. Defensive finish Montez Sweat
The dearth of a reputable move rush has been one of many Bears’ greatest points over the previous few years, however buying and selling for Sweat eventually season’s commerce deadline was a pleasant option to treatment that.
Within the 9 video games post-trade, Sweat had 37 pressures, 23 hurries, six QB hits and 6 sacks, per Pro Football Focus, and regardless of solely taking part in for the Bears for half a season, he nonetheless led the group in sacks and ranked second in pressures and hurries.
If Chicago can get a little bit extra manufacturing from DeMarcus Walker or rookie Austin Booker begins to breakout, it might take a number of the consideration away from Sweat on the alternative facet and free him as much as wreak havoc within the backfield. It’s powerful to see Chicago being aggressive this season if Sweat isn’t attending to the quarterback.
4. Large receiver Keenan Allen
The entire motive the Bears traded for Allen was to pair him with D.J. Moore to offer rookie quarterback Caleb Williams a professional one-two punch at receiver (drafting Rome Odunze No. 9 total was simply an added bonus.)
Allen is 32, however he’s coming off arguably the very best season of his profession, and he’s nothing if not constant (when wholesome.) He’s logged 100 or extra receptions and 1,000 or extra yards in 5 of the final seven seasons, and he offers Williams a dependable goal if Moore is taken out of the play by good protection. If Williams has a C.J. Stroud-like rookie yr, it’ll be as a result of Allen performs a giant position within the move recreation.
3. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron
Head coach Matt Eberflus stayed however former offensive coordinator Luke Getsy was fired within the offseason as a result of his offense merely didn’t work with Chicago’s personnel, and when investing as a lot because the Bears are in a younger QB like Williams, it was clear an improve at OC was wanted.
Enter Waldron, who was the passing recreation coordinator for 2 of Jared Goff’s greatest seasons with the Rams and the offensive coordinator for Geno Smith’s career-reviving 2022 season. Waldron has a confirmed monitor file of getting probably the most out of his QBs, which is strictly the type of particular person the Bears wished to entrust Williams’ growth to.
2. Head coach Matt Eberflus
Chicago upgraded its roster and its assistant teaching workers, however the group saved the top coach who’s gone 10-24 in two seasons on the helm. A part of it’s administration wanting to offer Eberflus the advantage of the doubt — he inherited a younger top-15 quarterback he had no say in drafting and one of many extra talent-deprived rosters within the NFL again in 2022 — and the opposite half is he’s been given all of the instruments, now he has to show he’s simply had some dangerous luck or else he’s out of a job.
The Bears 2024 roster has the potential to be probably the most proficient the group has had since maybe its Tremendous Bowl run in 2007, and a shock playoff run might assist maintain Eberflus’ job secure. However make no mistake, if expectations aren’t met and the group is drafting within the high 10 once more subsequent yr, the Bears will probably be in search of a brand new head coach.
1. Quarterback Caleb Williams
It looks like every thing subsequent season rests on Williams’ shoulders. Chicago traded Justin Fields for what many thought of a below-market deal simply to make room for Williams, and it invested heavy in his supporting forged by bringing in Allen, Odunze, working again D’Andre Swift and tight finish Gerald Everett, plus revamping the protection.
If Williams performs wherever near the extent he did two years in the past at USC when he received the Heisman Trophy, then Bears followers can breathe a sigh of aid.
Nonetheless, if he struggles, like he did final season, and exhibits cracks in his basis like not with the ability to deal with criticism or the sting of shedding, then there might be severe points in Chicago.