2023 Season Recap
Record: 7-10
Points For: 360 (23)
Points Against: 379 (20)
Off-season Roster Recap
Added:
RB D’Andre Swift, WR Keenan Allen, WR DeAndre Carter, S Kevin Byard, OL Coleman Shelton, TE Gerald Everett
Lost:
S Eddie Jackson, OL Cody Whitehair
Draft Recap Offense
(1) QB Caleb Williams, (9) WR Rome Odunze, (75) OL Kiran Amegadjie
Draft Recap Defense
(144) DL Austin Booker
2024 Outlook
Overview
The Bears were the talk of the NFL world when they were able to select QB Caleb Williams with the 1st overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. After trading away QB Justin Fields, Williams becomes the new face of the franchise where Chicago is doing everything right to surround him with the best talent possible. Pair that with a well-rounded defense on all levels, the Bears could be an up and coming team quickly.
Passing: With the pick of Williams, whom many regarded as a “generational talent”, the Bears are looking to improve in their passing game. Where Justin Fields struggled, Caleb Williams looks to thrive. The Bears also managed to improve offensive line depth in the draft with a desire to keep Williams upright for years to come.
Rushing: Chicago has a familiar NFC North face on its roster in former Detroit Lion D’Andre Swift. Coming off a career year in Philadelphia, Swift managed over 1,000 yards on the ground for the first time in his career. Granted, he was running behind an elite offensive line in Philly. Also holding him to finishing RB20, he was constantly held out of the end zone by the inevitable “Tush Push” from Jalen Hurts and leaving Swift to a mediocre 5 rushing scores on the season. The Bears have solid depth behind Swift in 2nd year back Roschon Johnson as well as Khalil Herbert. Both Johnson and Herbert will likely be fighting for main backup roles behind Swift and whoever wins the backup role may get a few more looks behind a not-so-durable Swift
Receiving: DJ Moore is a great receiving piece to build around. How about adding another target hog in veteran Keenan Allen and draft WR Rome Odunze in the top 10 of the Draft? They went from having a weak WR room to arguably the top trio in the NFL. Pair that trio with steady TE Cole Kmet (TE8 last year) and you have surrounded your rookie QB with an outstanding supporting cast to potentially hit the ground running. Swift also has pass-catching ability out of the backfield. All of this shows that there are plenty of targets to go around. Moore and Allen will be begging to get thrown to, which may leave Odunze in a shadow his rookie season. Picture Jaxon Smith-Njigba last year behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Allen is getting older and is only on a 1-year deal. You can take a chance on Odunze in dynasty format if you’re willing to wait a season.
Defense: The Bears have monsters on all levels of their defense after trading for Montez Sweat at the trade deadline last season. Along with CB Jaylon Johnson and LBs T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, they aren’t to be taken lightly. Boasting one of the top rushing defenses in the league last year (1st in the NFL in rushing YPG allowed), they will look to bring back the stout defenses of Chicago past.
Fantasy Impact: It’s always hard to gauge the rookie QB. Caleb Williams is surrounded well enough that he has a chance to be a Top 12 QB in fantasy this season. DJ Moore is set up to regress slightly and not by his own doing. Moore’s WR6 finish last season is no fluke but when surrounded by greater talent than previous seasons, it’s hard to expect any more. Moore should still be a top 10-15 WR with Keenan Allen close behind. Odunze will be a nice complement this year but I don’t expect him to break out until next season. Kmet should offer his steady presence again and can finish around TE10 again.
Schedule
Week 1 vs Tennessee
Week 2 at Houston (SNF)
Week 3 at Indianapolis
Week 4 vs LA Rams
Week 5 vs Carolina
Week 6 vs Jacksonville (LONDON)
Week 7 BYE
Week 8 at Washington
Week 9 at Arizona
Week 10 vs New England
Week 11 vs Green Bay
Week 12 vs Minnesota
Week 13 at Detroit (THANKSGIVING)
Week 14 at San Francisco
Week 15 at Minnesota (MNF)
Week 16 vs Detroit
Week 17 vs Seattle (TNF)
Week 18 at Green Bay
Strength of schedule: .467 (29th)
DraftKings Projected Wins - 8.5
#DRock313’s prediction 9 wins - 8 losses - 3rd in NFC North
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