The Chicago Bears aren't surrounded by much optimism in the national media. That is hardly a surprise. This team went 3-14 last year. While few debate GM Ryan Poles improved the roster with his free agency and draft work over the past three months, it wasn't enough to get people buying into the idea they can have a rapid turnaround. Part of this stems from sitting in a division with a Minnesota Vikings team that won 13 games last year and a Detroit Lions team that was among the hottest in the NFL to end the season.
There is no reason to think Chicago has reached their level yet. However, people might be taking the wrong angle on this. One of the primary issues the Bears ran into last year was the tough array of quarterbacks they faced. It included Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, Dak Prescott, and Kirk Cousins. Even Jared Goff was playing good football last year. This time around could be very different. Seven of their games will be against either average quarterbacks or unproven ones.
- Jordan Love (2x)
- Baker Mayfield
- Sam Howell
- Jimmy Garoppolo (maybe?)
- Andy Dalton/Bryce Young
- Desmond Ridder
Love might be the next big thing in Green Bay, but there is nothing to indicate that will be the case. Mayfield hasn't been the same since leaving Cleveland. Howell is an untested former 5th round pick. Garoppolo is still injured and may not even play this season, based on recent reports. Dalton is a journeyman, and Young is a rookie. Ridder has only started four games and was uneven during that stretch.
The Chicago Bears have a golden opportunity here.
No game in the NFL is guaranteed. That said, this team has no reason to fear those six names listed above. If Chicago handles its business, plays better defense, and Justin Fields takes another step, they should be able to win those games. That would mean seven victories on the schedule. In other words, all they'd have to do is steal two more from the remaining ten to have a reasonable shot at earning a wild card spot. One could be the rebuilding Arizona Cardinals. Another could be from Detroit or Minnesota. The Bears almost beat both of them last year.
Good teams win the games they're supposed to. Poles understands this. He wanted to build a team that can win consistently. If this culture is legitimate, then they will be able to take advantage of what looks like a favorable schedule. There are plenty of tough opponents this season, but weaknesses at quarterback are difficult to mask in this league. All three Chicago Bears victories last year came against mediocre-to-bad quarterbacks. We know they can do it. Now they're better equipped.
