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The first two years of the Matt Eberflus era haven’t gone that well for the Chicago Bears, as the team has yet to sport a winning record, let alone make the postseason under the head coach. However, the team did take a step in the right direction in 2023, improving its record by four games.
Looking ahead to 2024, the defense is ascending and has a chance to be special, and with the team drafting Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze while also adding veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen in free agency, the offense has the talent on paper to match.
As a result, it isn’t crazy at all to think that the Bears will improve their record again and make the playoffs in 2024 — and that’s something NFL.com senior national columnist Judy Battista agrees with in her bold predictions article.
The Chicago Bears make the playoffs. It’s happened just three times since they lost Super Bowl XLI to the Indianapolis Colts after the 2006 season, but Caleb Williams is bringing his bear claw to Soldier Field and changing the fortunes of one of the league’s most historic and historically quarterback-lacking franchises. Williams is a favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year because among the rookie quarterbacks, he is joining what is easily the best team. The Bears won seven games last season — don’t forget, that first overall draft pick was theirs because of a trade — the defense took off after they traded for Montez Sweat, the receiving corps has Keenan Allen, DJ Moore and rookie Rome Odunze, running back D’Andre Swift has a new contract coming off a Pro Bowl season and new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was brought in with preparation for Williams’ arrival in mind. Only eight rookie quarterbacks have posted double-digit wins since 1950 — C.J. Stroud did it in 2023 — but the Bears’ schedule features the AFC South plus games against the Patriots and Commanders, both of whom will probably be starting rookie quarterbacks who have much less help around them. The Lions are the class of the NFC North, but with the three wild-card spots available, the Bears will be on their way to sustained contention.
A playoff appearance would be massive for the Bears, and especially so for their rookie quarterback and embattled head coach, the latter of whom could very well get the axe if Chicago doesn’t get there or doesn’t at least show improvement.
As far as Williams is concerned, getting that kind of experience in Year 1 would be a massive boost to his development, and it would have the Bears on a trajectory to accomplish even greater things in the years ahead.
The road to get there will be tough, though. In addition to the fact that we have no idea what to expect from Williams in his first season, the Bears are in one of the best divisions in the NFL thanks to the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions.
The good news is, Chicago sports the third-easiest slate based on 2024 win projections from Vegas oddsmakers, per Sharp Football Analysis.