September 2025 and the start of the next NFL season feel a long way away right now. Yet, it was interesting to note what Caleb Williams said after the Chicago Bears’ final game of the 2024 regular season. Commenting on the hard-fought comeback win over the Playoff-bound Green Bay Packers, Williams suggested that the win would act as a good stepping stone for 2025, stressing that the feeling of winning games does more for a (losing) team than getting a few better draft picks.
Of course, you can make a case for and against Williams’ comments. Yet, you can certainly understand the sentiment. The Bears started the 2024 season in decent form, going 4-2 before the Bye Week in mid-October. After that, the wheels came off. An ugly ten-game losing streak followed. We’d probably cite the 3-19 loss to the New England Patriots at Solider Field as the low point, but fans will have plenty to choose from.
Looking ahead, though, it will be interesting to see how the Bears will be viewed in the late summer. It might not seem like it now, but remembering that the Bears were considered potential Playoff candidates in the summer of 2024 is worth remembering. The arrival of Williams, as well as other pieces in the supporting cast, delivered an optimistic feeling for fans, and, for a while, it felt like that optimist was warranted. In hindsight, the Week 8 game against the Commanders now feels pivotal.
Betting markets unlikely to back Bears without changes
As the offseason progresses, we will probably see movement from the Bears in both the betting markets and league power rankings. Right now, the NFL odds for sportsbooks are focused on the playoffs. Yet, after Super Bowl LIX is done and dusted, the bookies will be tabulating their formulas for the 2025 season: Where will the Bears be?
As mentioned, we could see a lot of movement from the Bears. Often, fans are guilty of believing that other teams will remain static. So, for instance, if the Bears made some great trades and picked up some free agents, you must appreciate that other teams will be striving to do that, too. Yet, two things stand out to us about the Bears. The first is that the team feels slightly more malleable than others, with changes expected in the front office, coaching setup, and the players’ roster. Secondly, as they are today, the Bears have a higher ceiling than many of the other teams that just completed a losing season.
First, to address the second point: The Bears have a solid roster, with a handful of players having the potential to reach elite status. This feels more like a team that lacked confidence and needs adjustments rather than major surgery. Much has been made of the coaching setup, which seems to be the consensus: Some young players, including Williams, can shine when given the proper guidance.
Changes are likely all over the organization.
As to the first point, changes will be made. On the field, the Bears can expect four picks among the top 72 in April’s NFL Draft. They have plenty of wiggle room with their salary cap, too. The organization is not flush with cash, but there is plenty of room to add some pieces. The moves from the front office for players and coaches will be pivotal, and those will be the factors that move the dial for the Bears in the offseason.
In the end, there are a lot of questions here. Several pundits have suggested that taking over as Bears head coach is an attractive proposition for any elite coach in the league. Talks of grabbing the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator intensified over the New Year. But whoever takes the reins has an opportunity to mold an underperforming team into a decent one. Several pundits – and plenty of fans, we are confident – have talked about not wanting to get burned again by believing in the Bears next season. However, there are enough pieces to warrant belief if they are moved in the right direction. At the very least, the offseason is going to be interesting.
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