After upgrading at a number of positions this offseason, the Chicago Bears are a preferred sleeper decide to doubtlessly make an under-the-radar run to the postseason in 2024.
Listed here are the franchise’s 5 most beneficial folks in 2024:
5. Defensive finish Montez Sweat
The dearth of a reputable go rush has been one of many Bears’ greatest points over the previous few years, however buying and selling for Sweat finally season’s commerce deadline was a pleasant approach to treatment that.
Within the 9 video games post-trade, Sweat had 37 pressures, 23 hurries, six QB hits and 6 sacks, per Professional Soccer Focus, and regardless of solely enjoying for the Bears for half a season, he nonetheless led the workforce in sacks and ranked second in pressures and hurries.
If Chicago can get a bit extra manufacturing from DeMarcus Walker or rookie Austin Booker begins to breakout, it might take a few of the consideration away from Sweat on the alternative facet and free him as much as wreak havoc within the backfield. It’s robust to see Chicago being aggressive this season if Sweat isn’t attending to the quarterback.
4. Vast receiver Keenan Allen
The entire cause the Bears traded for Allen was to pair him with D.J. Moore to offer rookie quarterback Caleb Williams a reputable 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 most effective 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 provides Williams a dependable goal if Moore is taken out of the play by good protection. If Williams has a C.J. Stroud-like rookie 12 months, it’ll be as a result of Allen performs a giant function within the go sport.
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 sport coordinator for 2 of Jared Goff’s finest seasons with the Rams and the offensive coordinator for Geno Smith’s career-reviving 2022 season. Waldron has a confirmed observe document of getting probably the most out of his QBs, which is precisely the type of individual the Bears wished to entrust Williams’ improvement to.
2. Head coach Matt Eberflus
Chicago upgraded its roster and its assistant teaching workers, however the workforce stored the pinnacle coach who’s gone 10-24 in two seasons on the helm. A part of it’s administration wanting to offer Eberflus the good thing about 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 workforce 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 workforce is drafting within the prime 10 once more subsequent 12 months, the Bears will doubtless be in search of a brand new head coach.
1. Quarterback Caleb Williams
It seems like the whole lot subsequent season rests on Williams’ shoulders. Chicago traded Justin Fields for what many thought-about a below-market deal simply to make room for Williams, and it invested heavy in his supporting solid by bringing in Allen, Odunze, working again D’Andre Swift and tight finish Gerald Everett, plus revamping the protection.
If Williams performs anyplace 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.
Nevertheless, if he struggles, like he did final season, and reveals cracks in his basis like not with the ability to deal with criticism or the sting of dropping, then there may very well be severe points in Chicago.
