The Chicago Bears feel like they’ve come a long way from where they were two years ago. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus made the tough decision to gut the roster, unloading every big contract and older veteran they could. They believed building a young, athletic roster through the draft was the best path to success. They wanted to develop homegrown talent. It was the only way to ensure they had a good shot at competing for the playoffs beyond just one or two years. After some rough times in 2022 and 2023, they appear to have accomplished their mission.
After a 4-0 preseason in which they outscored opponents by 68 combined points, the Bears look like a team ready to make a playoff run. Their defense is stacked with talent at every level. Their offense is loaded at the skill positions, and they have a #1 overall pick at quarterback. Hard Knocks has also helped spread the word about their progress over the past month. Plenty of people have taken notice. It appears the Bears have their share of unexpected fans.
Among them are members of the defending Super Bowl champions. Superstars Travis Kelce and Chris Jones admitted to Eberflus and Caleb Williams that the team looks like they will be good.
Remember, the Chiefs absolutely obliterated the Bears 41-10 last year at Arrowhead Stadium. For them to admit the team is headed in the right direction speaks to how far they’ve come in such a short time. The arrival of Montez Sweat to reinforce the defense felt like the first big step. Caleb Williams, Keenan Allen, D’Andre Swift, and Rome Odunze, all following this off-season, have helped increase such optimism. If the team can perform well in the trenches, their schedule is manageable enough to make a run.
As always, health must prevail. Often, the teams that avoid the more serious injuries end up playing in January. The Chicago Bears have suffered misfortune in this department quite a few times. Matt Eberflus has done an excellent job of working his players hard and toughening them up for what’s coming. Guys are in shape and playing with effort and intensity. If that stays true throughout the year and they can avoid costly mistakes, what the Chiefs players said will come to fruition. This will be a good football team.
