As Training Camp Begins, Fans Are Both Optimistic And Pessimistic

As the NFL shifts gears and all 32 teams begin the six-week training camp period leading up to the 104th NFL season, most fans league-wide are filled with optimism and excitement leading up to week one. It also doesn't take long to find pessimism swirling around your favorite team.

Before the Super Bowl era, the Chicago Bears owned eight NFL titles. In a 16-year span from 1932 - 1946, Chicago played an incredible nine times in the NFL Championship game. However, since the Super Bowl era began in 1966, the Bears have only been to the championship game twice. Since 2000, they have only played in the post season six times and have a dismal record of 3-6.

Justin Fields enters the 2023 season as the undisputed leader of this team. He arrived at Lake Forest with all the rookies as they reported to Halas Hall. The rest of the team will arrive over the next 24 hours. Ryan Poles has worked tirelessly to put pieces in place to help Fields take a major step forward this season. The offensive line is completely revamped. The WR group is as strong as we have ever seen. The running backs and tight ends are loaded with more talent.

The Claypool News Is Disappointing

The first wave of announcements by the league office regarding players starting the year on the PUP list had no Bears listed, but that changed Sunday, when the Bears placed WR Chase Claypool on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Almost immediately, social media was bombarded with pessimists irate over the deal that Poles made to bring Claypool to the team. While the PUP list designation isn't great news, a player can be removed form the list any time. Hopefully Claypool can recover in time to be activated prior to their first preseason game against the Tennessee Titans next month.

Additional Concerns

Still on the minds of fans craving for a team capable of winning their first post season game since 2010 is the lack of an edge rusher on defense. Rumors have surfaced regarding an acquistion to fill that void, but there is no news at the time of this writing.

In 2022 the OL gave up 58 sacks, and had difficulty picking up stunts and blitzes. So Ryan Poles and the coaching staff reworked the line. Nate Davis was signed as a free agent, and Poles drafted Darnell Wright. Teven Jenkins has been moved to left guard, and Cody Whitehair has returned to center. In order for the Bears to start fast this year, this personnel group needs to gel during the preseason.

This team is poised to be far better than the 3-win season from a year ago. Just how good they will be is still a mystery. The reality begins when the team can start practicing in full pads. Please let us know what you want to see by commenting below.