ClutchPoints
The Chicago Bears received more hype than they deserved last season, by myself included, but they still woefully underachieved. Forget the playoffs. At minimum, this franchise was supposed to march toward a promising direction. While there were some positive aspects, the 2024-25 NFL season was mostly characterized by coaching incompetence, a porous offensive line and on-field disorder (ties into the first problem). If one sifted through the rubble and anguish, however, they could discover the seeds of a competitive football team.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles and ex-head coach Matt Eberflus did not nurture those seeds, however, nor did they plant them atop a suitable foundation. Bad game-planning, bad execution and a bad culture created a nightmarish scenario for the entire team and fan base. It did not have to go that way. Respectability was more than attainable.
Following a disastrous year in The Windy City, it seems hazardous to buy back into the Bears. They have betrayed people’s trust too many times, with least season unleashing a unique brand of visual punishment. Why risk more humiliation? The answer is simple: this year really does feel different.
Former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson brings his innovative offensive mind to Chicago, determined to help renovate another run-down organization. Poles gave the O-Line a dramatic makeover. Young players like Williams and Rome Odunze should be more prepared heading into their second NFL campaign. And most importantly, Soldier Field is bustling with energy. It does not seem like the artificial kind, either.
Intensity does not always correspond with success. There are still uncertainties aplenty throughout this roster, including in the rookie HC’s office. A vaunted division and grueling schedule only compounds a longstanding tradition of pain and unmet expectations. Fans can actually identify a clear blueprint now, though.
That signals progress, which, fittingly enough, will be the prevailing theme in our bold predictions for the upcoming season. Let’s jump in and see if we can stoke the flames of optimism one more time.
Bears fans have worn multiple badges of dishonor over the last several years, but the most unfathomable one is arguably that no franchise quarterback has ever thrown for 4,000 yards in a season. I am not going to touch that benchmark here. Williams should be more than capable of breaking that dry spell at some point in the near future, but the statistic that could show his true growth is passing touchdowns.
Chicago was a bottom-barrel offensive team last season, ranking last with 284.6 total yards per game, 31st in passing yards (181.5) and 28th in points (18.2). A poor game plan and feeble offensive line significantly contributed to those dismal results, but Williams himself definitely shares in the blame. He holds the ball too long and did not make the right reads frequently enough. That should change with Johnson at the helm.
Williams has the ability to anchor a successful offense. He needs someone to check his worst impulses, though....
