The 2024 NFL Draft is now in the books. Last week, we found out which of the highest ranked rookies in the country will be playing where next year as all 32 teams look to build a strong roster before the action begins in September. One team, in particular, has received a lot of attention in the offseason, the Chicago Bears. Although there is always some mystery with the draft, the whole world has known for a while the Bears would select quarterback Caleb Williams with the No.1 overall pick, which they duly did. Now with Williams on board, we look at the key indicators which will determine if the Bears can make a playoff run.
General Manager Ryan Poles assumed his position in 2022, and since then he has been on a mission to transform the Bears roster. This team has not won a playoff game since 2011, so sweeping changes were certainly needed. Even last year, there were signs of an improving team, even if they failed to secure a playoff spot. They threw away several fourth-quarter leads, perhaps showing their inexperience as it is a young roster.
Now, it is about putting their new QB in the best possible position to succeed this year. Can the Bears do that and end a long playoff drought?
Putting QB Williams in best position to succeed
There was much speculation around former QB Justin Fields. Some said he wasn’t good enough to lead this team to where they want to get to, others argued the team didn’t do a good enough job of putting talent around him. However, it was an opportunity for Poles to put his stamp on the team as he didn’t draft Fields. Inevitably, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, paving the way for Williams to slot in as the new QB1.
Williams will walk into a good situation. The team already has some nice offensive weapons. Wide receiver D.J Moore had a huge impact on the team last year, finishing with stats of 96 catches for 1,364 yards and 9 touchdowns. Tight end Cole Kmet is also another important piece of the offense, but there is no doubt they needed more weapons.
Well, more help arrived as with the No.9 pick in the draft the Bears selected wide receiver Rome Odunze, one of the consensus top 3 receivers in this year’s class. All of a sudden, there are serious weapons on this offense now, and if Williams can transform his college play to the pros, the Bears are in business.
Bears now feel like a playoff team
Poles has undoubtedly breathed new life into a previously moribund franchise. Since the momentous trade with the Panthers, the Bears have gone from one of the worst teams in the entire NFL to a playoff-ready outfit. The trade saw the Bears receive assets like Moore, Tyrique Stevenson, Darnell Wright, a 2025 second-round pick and, of course, the No.1 pick which they used to select Williams.
When you also factor in additions such as Tremaine Edmunds, Nate Davis, Montez Sweat and T.J Edwards, the Bears are primed for the postseason. If you think the Bears can win the NFC North, you can get odds of +370.
*Odds correct at time of writing
