Why Some Inside NFL Believe Chicago Bears Go Worst To First

The Chicago Bears aren't strangers when it comes to rapid turnarounds. They've done it before. In 2001, they went from 5-11 to 13-3, winning the NFC Central division. A few years later, in 2005, they did it again, going from 5-11 to 11-5 and winning the NFC North. Oh, did you think they were done? Nope. Once again, they pulled off the achievement in 2018, going 12-4 after flopping 6-10 the year before. People shouldn't act like such a feat is beyond the realm of possibility with this organization. It is all about getting the roster and coaching staff to a place where everything gels.

Some wonder if this latest version is capable of pulling it off. On paper, it seems plausible. They have a former #1 overall pick at quarterback. Despite way too many sacks, Caleb Williams showed plenty of flashes as a rookie. A deep and talented supporting cast with a rebuilt offensive line surrounds him. Most importantly, he has one of the NFL's best play callers, Ben Johnson, as his new head coach. Albert Breer of the MMQB gets vibes from people inside the league that Chicago is ready to seize the NFC North if other teams in the division take a step back.

The Patriots, Raiders and Giants should be better, but they’re looking up at the Bills, Chiefs and Eagles in their divisions. The Saints and Titans could be starting rookie quarterbacks, and are in divisions with repeat champions. So the Bears might be the surprise.

How would it happen? If everything comes together on the offensive line, Caleb Williams makes a Year 2 leap like Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes once did, and Dennis Allen brings a talented defense together. J.J. McCarthy doesn’t live up to expectations in Minnesota, and the coaching staff drain hits Detroit harder than expected.

The Chicago Bears control their own destiny.

They cannot and should not bank on other teams doing them a favor. It isn't how the NFL works. If you want to be a winning team, you need to earn it. That means beating whoever is on your schedule. There were multiple opportunities last season for the Chicago Bears to change their fate.

• The Hail Mary disaster in Washington
• A blocked field goal against Green Bay
• Losing in overtime to Minnesota
• The timeout fiasco in Detroit

All four of those games were decided by three points or less. The Bears should've won two of them and had multiple opportunities to grab the two others. That doesn't count the three other games that were decided by single digits. It isn't about whether the Bears are talented enough to win anymore. It is about whether they have the mental fortitude to seize their chances.