The season is coming. The DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, get out the bugles: the Chicago Bears have a quarterback worthy of the name. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
A new cycle begins in Chicago with promising quarterback Caleb Williams. Manager Ryan Poles is not one to procrastinate. So he used the market and the draft to surround him with the best possible talent. Is that enough in a very tough NFC North division?
Last season: 7 wins – 10 losses
Off-season movements
Notable Arrivals: Keenan Allen (WR), D'Andre Swift (RB), Kevin Byard (S), Gerald Everett (TE), Ryan Bates (IOL), Coleman Shelton (IOL)
Resigning: DJ Moore (WR), Patrick Scales (LS)
Draft: Caleb Williams (QB), Rome Odunze (WR), Kiran Amegadjie (OT), Tory Taylor (P), Austin Booker (DE).
Notable departures: Justin Fields (QB), Eddie Jackson (S), Darnell Mooney (WR), Justin Jones (DT), Yannick Ngakoue (DE)
Chicago has signed a receiver who has nothing left to prove in Keenan Allen and his more than 10,000 career yards! His ability to stand out will be valuable, for a quarterback starting at this level of intensity.
Then, with their second pick in the 1st round, the Bears recruited Rome Odunze and his 1,640 receiving yards: no one has done better at the college level in 2023! With strong players such as Cole Kmet (TE) and DJ Moore (WR), Caleb Williams could shine in his rookie season.
Especially since Chicago is counting on taking some weight off its shoulders with an effective ground game. The explosive D'Andre Swift complements the powerful Roschon Johnson and the man with six left toes Khalil Herbert. Seattle's offensive coordinator in 2023, Shane Waldron then proposed an attack that went more on the ground than in the air: a rarity in the NFL. He was recruited to reproduce this recipe in Chicago.
The Chicago Bears All-Star Team
Quarterback: Caleb Williams Runner: D'Andre Swift Receivers: Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze Tight End: Cole Kmet Offensive Line: Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Ryan Bates, Nate Davis, Darnell Wright Kicker: Cairo Santos
Defensive Line: Montez Sweat, Gervon Dexter, Andrew Billings, DeMarcus Walker Linebackers: Tremaine Edmunds, TJ Edwards Cornerbacks: Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon (NB) Safety: Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard Punter: Tory Taylor
Chicago Bears Highlights
The defense has impact players: from defensive end Montez Sweat (12.5 sacks in 2023) to young cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (16 passes defended including 4 interceptions). The Edmunds-Edwards linebacker duo is effective (268 tackles between them) while safety Jaquan Brisker has become a sure bet in just two NFL seasons.
The contribution of “veterans” Kevin Byard (S) and Jaylon Johnson (CB) is important. They supervise nuggets in second or third year like Kyler Gordon (CB) and defensive-tackles Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens.
The bar is high for any rookie quarterback, so Caleb Williams will make mistakes. But he has plenty of quality targets to rely on: DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Cole Kmet, Rome Odunze and Gerald Everett.
Additionally, while its offensive line isn't great, it seems solid at the very least. Youngsters Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins and Darnell Wright have shown some positives in 2023. Experienced Nate Davis and Ryan Bates are seasoned masons, to create quality cement in this “starting five”.
Although talented and well-surrounded, a rookie quarterback will not be able to finish all these opportunities victoriously! To still stay in the game by scoring three points, the Bears can rely on the reliability of kicker Cairo Santos: 92% success in 2023 including a superb 15 out of 18 between 40 and 55 yards.
The Chicago Bears' Weaknesses
In 2023, the Bears finished 31st out of 32 in sacks! This lack of pressure explains why their opponents were able to score a touchdown on 68.89% of their presence in Chicago's last twenty yards (Red Zone): 31st result 2023. 31st in both categories, as luck would have it.
With the 4th salary cap in March 2024, everyone expected Chicago to recruit a defensive end to complement Montez Sweat: it was not the case. Who among DeMarcus Walker, Dominique Robinson or the rookie Austin Booker will be this indispensable number 2 at the defensive end position?
The Bears' defense can be considered their strong side, with strong individuals. But they need to step up a gear collectively. Especially in the zone where it matters most.
On offense, the weakness is a deficit in attacking depth. To break away or get back into the game, you sometimes have to know how to punish the opponent with a long play. Chicago lacks an established player to gain 30 to 40 yards on a single play. Velus Jones, Dante Pettis and Tyler Scott are all very fast. But so far none have shown consistency.
X-Factor: Caleb Williams (QB)
Selected with the number 1 pick in the 2024 draft, Caleb Williams centralizes the prospect of a better future. A very spectacular quarterback, he is able to improvise to find solutions where there seem to be none.
But while his potential is certain, he still has a lot of room for improvement to meet the demands of the NFL.
Shane Waldron is the team's new offensive coordinator. In charge of the passing game for Sean McVay's Rams from 2018 to 2020, he was then a major player in Geno Smith's rebound in Seattle. The management also recruited Ryan Bates to form the fundamental tandem between a quarterback and his center.
Because as he takes his first steps into the “adult world,” Caleb Williams will make mistakes. Will he make too many or not so many? His level of play will determine the quality of Chicago's season.
Player to watch: Braxton Jones (OT)
According to ESPN, Braxton Jones was the fifth most effective offensive tackle in protection in 2023: 93% in pass block win rate. But one statistic doesn't tell the whole story.
Braxton Jones is going to have to cut back on his jersey retentions! Justin Fields used to hold the leather for a very long time before throwing, which partly explains this flaw. Unfortunately, Caleb Williams showed the same unfortunate tendency in college.
At just 25, he has the mobility and immense wingspan to become one of the best at his position. On the right side, the Bears seem to be able to count on the solidity of Darnell Wright. On the left, Braxton Jones still needs to raise his level.
Chicago Bears 2024 Schedule
Titans, @Texans, @Colts, Rams, Panthers, Jaguars, BYE, @Commanders, @Cardinals, Patriots, Packers, Vikings, @Lions, @49ers, @Vikings, Lions, Seahawks, @Packers
In addition to tough games in the NFC North division, Chicago will have to face the NFC West of the 49ers, Rams and Seahawks! And the AFC South division is filled with young talent at quarterback: CJ Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, Anthony Richardson and Will Levis.
The audio preview
In summary
Run and defend. A formula that worked for the franchise during their last Super Bowl victory. A title that has eluded the residents of Soldier Field for 40 years! In 2023, the Texans caused a surprise: can Caleb Williams energize Chicago like CJ Stroud did with Houston?
