From L-R: Bears QB Caleb Williams, Receiver Keenan Allen and Montez Sweat (Photo Credits: Jeremy Allen, X).
The vibes around the Chicago Bears are sky-high.
By drafting quarterback Caleb Williams and receiver Rome Odunze with their first two picks in this year’s drafts and stockpiling key free agents, the Bears are undoubtedly fielding one of its most talented teams in quite some time.
Throw in the fact that the team was recently profiled on HBO’s critically acclaimed “Hard Knocks” series and its head coach, Matt Eberflus, underwent a transformative makeover, and you have a team with an aura that has been magnified to an even higher degree.
But the NFL, in particular, is a brutal, results-based business where, every year, only one team becomes the ultimate victor, so what the Bears do on the field will be the only thing that matters—vibes or not.
Anyway, if you’re only a casual fan of the Bears or the kind who calls football scoring plays home runs, no worries, we got you.
Below are five reasons casual Bears fans and non-sports people should be excited about this team.
- Rookie Quarterback Caleb Williams: A franchise-altering quarterback, one that can win games with his arm, feet and ultimately, his mind are what all NFL teams covet. The Chiefs have one in Patrick Mahomes, who is vying for his third straight Super Bowl victory and does those insurance commercials. When the Bears selected Williams as the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, they acquired a guy who has the talent and potential to elevate the team into a perennial Super Bowl contender. This Yahoo Sports profile sums up why Bears fans should be enthralled over Williams: “His arm talent, creativity, athleticism, and willingness to try for explosive plays, and ability to achieve them, while also mitigating the damage of his surroundings, are the traits that lift the ceiling of an offense and are so coveted by NFL teams.”
- The Pass Catchers: Before the Bears drafted Odunze, they already had leading receiver DJ Moore and recently added free agent Keenan Allen, two highly accomplished players with stellar resumes. Together, they bring 17 years of NFL experience, playing 236 games, catching 1,364 balls and scoring 88 touchdowns. When they selected Odunze, they secured a prospect who many believe will be an elite receiver. That’s not even mentioning the Bears Tight Ends Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett, who have scored 15 and 19 touchdowns, respectively. So, what does all that talent and experience mean? Well, Williams steps into a lovely situation with many of the components needed to field an explosive offense that can score points—elements that have been hard to come by for this franchise for numerous seasons.
- An Improved Defense: The defense has three levels in football, and the Bears have difference-makers at each plane. In the middle of last season, they traded for pass rusher Montez Sweat, whose presence improved the defense: They allowed fewer points and yards. In linebacker T.J. Edwards, they had the seventh leading tackler in the league last season. But the crown jewels of the Bears’ defense are the players in the secondary, whose job is to prevent completed passes. Jaylon Johnson, whom the team recently rewarded with a four-year, $76 million contract, is considered a top-five cornerback. Cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker are considered ascending players. To supplement a stacked group, the Bears also signed Kevin Byard II, a two-time Pro Bowl safety who has a knack for intercepting the ball.
Like every NFL team, the Bears have questions. Will Williams become a quality player at the game’s most important position in his rookie season? Can the team’s offensive line protect him and allow the offense to function properly? Can the Bears’ defense provide enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks?
Can they compete in a challenging, four-team division that features the rugged Detroit Lions, a potential Super Bowl contender, and those d–mned Green Bay Packers, who are young and capable. Still, the recent injury to Jordan Love, the Packers starting quarterback, casts a shadow over their season.
The Chicago Bears host the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field on Sunday, Sept. 8 at Noon (CDT).
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