The optimist believes. They see before them the insurmountable task, the untraversable terrain, and refuse despondence. They, as the musical says, "dream the impossible dream". When it comes to sports fandom, especially pre-season sports fandom, the optimist overlooks the roster deficiencies, the problematic schedule ahead, the track record of failure that accompanies a particular organization. The optimist believes because the optimist is not afraid to have their heart shattered into a million pieces by a few dozen men who share nothing more than what Jerry Seinfeld referred to as the same "laundry".
The cynic doesn't give a fuck. And for those of you who expected this paragraph to be about "the pessimist," sorry to let you down. I would argue the true antithesis of the optimist - in the context of sports fandom - is not the pessimist, but the cynic. The cynic doesn't suffer from a lack of belief, but instead from a true desire NOT to believe. They question whether the roster strengths can stay healthy, whether the seemingly winnable games on the schedule are even winnable, and they lean heavily, almost too heavily, on those negative track records. The cynic isn't worried about a failed season. The cynic expects it. The cynic revels in it.
I've never been either with the Chicago Bears. And heading into this 2025 training camp, I am not sure I have ever conceived a wider range of season outcomes.
I can see this team playing deep into the postseason. I can see Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams being a dynamic pairing. I can see the offensive line being dominant. I can see Rome Odunze being one of the best wide receivers in the league. I can see Dennis Allen getting everything out of the defensive talent he's been given and overcoming the pass rush issues. I can see the Bears being the best team in the NFC North.
I can see this team going 6-11. I can see Ben and Caleb flopping. I can see some of the older offensive linemen struggling with injury. I can see Odunze taking a step back from his rookie campaign under a new coaching staff. I can see Montez Sweat not returning to form and opposing quarterbacks spending endless time in the pocket as they carve up the secondary. I can see the Bears picking in the top ten in next year's draft...again.
I can see this team be the same old, same old, 8-9/9-8. I can see Ben and Caleb taking three months to find their rhythm. I can hear Joe Thuney in an October press conference saying things like "this offensive line is starting to come together." I can see Rome being, well, just fine. I can see Sweat returning to form, getting no help on the other side, and a good Bears team blowing some late leads due to lack of consistent pressure. I can see them splitting their divisional games.
None of these outcomes would surprise me. Would they surprise you? How could they? The 2025 Chicago Bears have just the right amount of potential to make the optimist glow, and cynic pounce. For those of us who fit neither category, the season kicks off in 61 days.
