Analytics Project A Huge Jump From Chicago Bears In 2023

Everybody will have their opinion on what the Chicago Bears will do in 2023. Some are optimistic about the team's accomplishments after their frustrating 3-14 record last season. Others think it will take more time before this team is relevant again. Both have valid reasons for thinking this. Contrary to popular myth, going from really bad to good again takes time. GM Ryan Poles inherited an old and overpaid roster last year. He tore it down to the foundation with the intent of completely rebuilding it. Everything has gone according to plan thus far.

While Poles said he expects this team to compete, he likely isn't under any illusions about this roster. It's young, deeper, and more athletic but still has several holes. Finding a ceiling for this team is difficult. That is where analytics can often be beneficial. Cynthia Frelund of NFL Network took personal bias out of the equation and projected the Bears' likely win total based on pure math. Her findings weren't peak optimism, but they do see the team making a big jump.

The Chicago Bears would have every reason to be happy with that.

A five-game improvement over last season is a pretty big deal. It means the Bears will have gone from the worst team in the NFL to coming up barely shy of a winning record. Remember, they went 3-13 in 2016 and ended up going 5-11 the next year. Big turnarounds are not the norm for this organization. Jumping to almost getting a wild card playoff berth, all while knowing they have two 1st round picks and the fourth-most cap space waiting for them in 2024, would paint the perfect picture of how serious this team could be not too long from now.

As always, you have to play the games. Matt Eberflus believes in his philosophical approach to coaching young players. They're going to work hard, hustle, play with intensity, and limit their mistakes. Once all 22 players on the field learn to do this, the Chicago Bears will win plenty of football games. One can only hope the numbers don't lie. Or even better, maybe they sell the team short.