They are far from a solid middle of the road team. That is a team with an 8-8 record. This team will struggle to win 4 games this year. They only won five all of last year and by the end of the season they were the worst team in the league. Worst of all, they quit and teams that quit have a very tough time getting started over again because they are LOSERS. The supposed team leader, is their quarterback and he is nothing but A BIG LOSER. Where is the magic pill he is going to take to transform into a WINNER?
ANd where is this notiion that this team's offense is going to be improved from last year? Where is the tangible improvement coming from. I'll give you the defense being better.....SLIGHTLY but no way the offense is better. the offensive line isn't better, and the receiving corps isn't better. They are going to struggle running the ball and are going to miss Marshall bailing out his LOSER quarterback on awful passes to no one in general. They are thin at TE and if they keep pissing off Bennett and Forte, then good luck Fox. This upcoming season is going to be a very VERY tough one.
THe immediate story line after they lose their first 4 or so games will be, OH WELL, this is a rebuilding year. When Cutler folds like an accordion chair, they will likely bench him or put him out on waivers in mid season. They then will strive mightily to convince the paper bag headed minion in Soldier Field that this is all going to end up well with a new quarterback and young dynamic team starting in 2016.
In the meantime, Ted Phillips will keep picking up checks and the McCaskeys will put on Bear jerseys and pretend to give a shit about Bear fans.