Following the conclusion of HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” the Chicago Bears can officially say they’re one of the most hyped-up teams entering this season.
Between the potential Caleb Williams brings to the offense and the way Chicago closed out last season defensively, there are plenty of reasons to buy into what the Bears are selling in 2024.
However, with reasons to buy in, there are also reasons to be concerned about this team heading into the year.
What are the Bears’ Biggest Concerns Going Into 2024?
Can the Pass Rush Get to Opposing Quarterbacks?
Before trading for Montez Sweat for the final nine weeks of the 2023 season, the Bears were one of the worst teams at pressuring quarterbacks across the league.
From Week 1 to Week 8, the Bears totaled just 10 sacks, ranking 31st in the NFL. Along with their problematic sack total, Chicago ranked 22nd in pressures by pass rushers (81), per PFF.
But once Sweat joined the defensive front in Week 9, Chicago doubled its sack total, adding 122 pressures in the final nine weeks.
However, since Sweat had the entire offseason to work with the team, it’s possible that the pass rush will be more effective in 2024.
Along with Sweat, the anticipated emergence of second-year defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr. will play a big role in whether the Bears’ pass rush can be better than last year.
Chicago also added Austin Booker, an EDGE from Kansas, in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Booker has a long frame (6’6″, 245 pounds), though he will need time to develop into an NFL-level edge rusher.
In the preseason, Booker caught the attention of Bears fans and the NFL as a whole, totaling 2.5 sacks and nine pressures. With proper development in his game, Booker could be a strong addition to a Bears pass rush that must improve from last year.
If this unit plays similarly to how it did in the first half of last season, it could be a long season for the Bears.
Matt Eberflus’ In-Game Coaching
Heading into this season, the public appears to be rather confused about how well Matt Eberflus will lead Chicago in 2024.
On one hand, Eberflus is the betting favorite to win Coach of the Year. But on the other hand, he’s one of the betting favorites to be the first head coach fired this season.
While some were enamored by his new look, there are more important traits for an NFL head coach to possess than a cool haircut and a nicer fashion sense. At the end of the day, an NFL head coach is hired to lead a team to Super Bowl victories, and while Eberflus’ 2023 season was better than his 2022 campaign, he’s under the microscope this year.
Last season, Eberflus’ Bears made history. However, it wasn’t historic in a good way.
Eberflus had his name added to the record books following Chicago’s 20-17 loss to Cleveland in Week 15 of the 2023 season. This was the third time Eberflus’ Bears lost after leading by double-digit points in the fourth quarter, tying for the most losses of this fashion in history.
With what Chicago is building around Williams and Co., Eberflus’ job could be on the line this year if his in-game management continues to be lackluster.
How Well Will the Interior OL Hold Up?
Last season, the Bears struggled to keep their quarterback clean in the pocket, ranking 25th in sacks allowed (50), 26th in sack percentage (8.9%), 28th in pressures allowed (277), and 32nd in pressures allowed per dropback (44.8%).
Chicago’s offensive line almost couldn’t have ranked worse last season.
However, after losing Cody Whitehair and Lucas Patrick, Chicago added Coleman Shelton and Ryan Bates this offseason to give the offensive line a boost. The moves made were minimal, leaving the interior of the offensive line as one of the biggest concerns heading into this season.
As Williams prepares for his rookie season as Chicago’s starting quarterback, much of his success will rely on the Bears’ offensive line being good enough.
Williams has a strong ability to improvise and use his legs, but with a focus on him playing within structure at the NFL level, the interior offensive line for Chicago will be a major factor in how well the rookie succeeds.
Both offensive tackles have shown promise, but with Teven Jenkins and Nate Davis both having a history of missing games due to injury, this part of the Bears’ roster could make or break a 2024 season full of hype.