2024 season: 5-12, 4th place in NFC North, missed the playoffs
Summary: Caleb Williams’ career wasn’t off to a great start in Chicago.
The good news is that you can only get things better. And the way the Bears have already handled this offseason is trending for him in Chicago.
The Bears fired head coach Matt Evals during the season and replaced him with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Johnson is one of the top candidates in the entire league of this coaching cycle, and perhaps the best coach to lead Williams and turn the franchise around.
Johnson cuts out work for him. There are some key areas the Bears need to deal with this summer, and he has to quickly build around Williams. That way, the franchise won’t send another quarterback out of town, as it did in the first round of the past few times. The Bears have the money to make it happen, and they have three picks in the top 41 of this year’s NFL Draft. Now Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles need to use them correctly.
Key-free agent
WR Keenan Allen
Te Marcedes Lewis
G Teven Jenkins
Who/Is Out: Allen says there are only three teams he wants to play next season. One of them is the Bears. If not, he wants to land in Los Angeles. I’ve returned with the charger and the Rams. He had 744 yards and seven touchdowns in his first season with the Bears. DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.
Lewis said he wanted to continue playing despite turning 40 in May. He could be boosted by the tight endroom and relatively cheap, but it’s unclear if he wants to stick to the new regime.
Jenkins might also be out the door. The Bears’ second round selection in 2021 has fought many injuries throughout his career. He played for less than 65% of the snaps this past season. He said it was a “toss-up” as to whether he would come back, despite a great boost to Chicago’s front line if he was healthy.
Key free agent needs
Attack line
Defense line
Why the hole? The Bears’ struggle cannot be completely condemned on the offensive line, but the group certainly didn’t help. Williams fired League High 68 times during his rookie campaign. Landing top-notch pieces here and landing in the draft, and the second season of franchise QB will definitely help.
On the other side of the ball, the Bears need another pass rush. Their defense wasn’t great, but adding someone along with Montes’ sweat and Demarcus Walker quickly blew sparks into their defensive front and gave talent elsewhere early in the draft Allows you to add.
There are other pieces the bear should add, but you need to start here.
Do they have money?
yes. The Bears enter the offseason with nearly $65 million in cap space. This is the most in the league.
Notable potential reductions
Te Gerard Everett
S Kevin Byard III
Why they’re gone: Everett didn’t bring much to the table this season in Chicago, so the team could save over $5 million if they split it with him. He had eight catches for 36 yards in 13 games. With Cole Kmet leading the way, there’s no need to overpay for his backup.
Byard is leaving a huge season for the bear. He had 130 tackles and intercepts last season, the ninth team in the league. If Chicago cuts 31 years of age, he could save about $7 million in cap space and then work to replace him with a younger, cheaper person. If they want to save money or want to attract bigger names with free agents, this is how to do it.
Draft Picks
Round 1: No. 10
Round 2: No. 39 (from the Panthers)
Round 2: No. 41
Round 3: No. 72
5th time
Round 6 (from Steelers)
Round 7 (from Bengali)
Round 7 (from the Viking)
Good draft fit
Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Why he? Campbell is probably the best offensive lineman in the spring’s draft, and he appears to be a very safe option for the Bears here, regardless of who he brings to the free agency line. Adding Campbell, who should be able to slip in and become a long-term piece of their line, is an easy move if they can land him.
The bear will need to build an invasive wall around Caleb Williams, with Zillions in the 10th overall pick in the draft and pay cap space. It becomes a Civic scandal once Williams finishes again among the league’s most fired quarterbacks. The Chicago offense is currently being overseen by one of the NFL’s most inventive play designers, and this team is not lacking skill-spot playmakers. Williams simply needs consistent protection for this team to make a massive leap. —Andy Behrens
