The time is now for the Chicago Bears to take the next step.
Finally with the promise of a potential franchise quarterback in place, after selecting Caleb Williams No. 1 overall, and pairing him with No. 9 overall pick Rome Odunze, Chicago has the pieces in place to field one of the more prolific offenses in the sport.
Likewise, the Bears have steadily bolstered the talent on defense in recent seasons and seem to have the pieces in place to make, at minimum, a run at the NFC Wild Card.
Given the way general manager Ryan Poles has manipulated the draft board the past two seasons, and Williams’ arrival, is this a playoff-or-bust campaign for the Bears and everyone not named Williams in the Windy City?
NFL Analyst Puts Significant Pressure on Chicago Bears
Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker put together a list of the seven NFL teams facing the most pressure this season, including Williams and the Bears.
“At the nucleus is No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, whose 6.2% big-time throw rate in 2023 ranked fourth among quarterbacks with 400-plus dropbacks. His 82.6 rushing grade also placed sixth among non-running backs with 50 or more carries. Williams will need to get the ball out quicker in structure — his 3.16-second average time to throw led the FBS — but he could be dynamic as a rookie.
“Head coach Matt Eberflus’ seat was warm until he won three of the last five games in 2023, fueled by a defense that ranked eighth in EPA per play over that span. Likewise, the team’s two losses — to the playoff-bound Browns and Packers on the road — were still by no more than eight points.”
There is always a tendency to allow leniency and patience for a coaching staff tasked with developing a rookie quarterback, particularly one chosen No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft.
However, given that Eberflus narrowly escaped being fired last offseason, prior to the Bears selecting Williams, and his staff’s inability to maximize former first-round pick Justin Fields, it’s easy to see why Chicago’s head coach would be feeling significant heat in 2024.
The Bears certainly have the pieces to make a charge to the postseason, but, the pressure is most likely centered on Eberflus who may need a stellar upcoming season to prove he’s the right coach to shepherd Williams’ development and the Bears’ title hopes in coming years.
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