So fellow Bears fans, are you optimistic or pessimistic for the season? Post your concerns

[Aquineas]

The draft is over and from now until the first regular season game is the height of peak post-draft optimism.
Every team has their new shiny objects. Personally I didn't get any of the players I clamored for, but I am not a professional talent evaluator and don't have a team of scouts on my phone.

Despite them not drafting the guys I wanted, they didn't blatantly ignore huge weaknesses like they did in the past. After last year's draft, I kept worrying (both privately and aloud), "but that offensive line!! They didn't address the interior offensive line!" We all know how that turned out. This year, with the notable exception of safety, despite them not choosing the players I wanted (or enough of the positions I wanted), they did at least add some players.

Reasons for optimism:

• Head coach- Ben Johnson is an intense mofo- this team is going to be disciplined.
• QB, we have an elite QB; in fact the number one QB of the last two drafts
  • He's a baller with elite arm-talent
  • He wants to win; he hates seeing all that praise hyping Jayden Daniels
  • He's had a good cleanse-of-palate.
• Interior offensive-line improvements. The Bears got themselves a legitimate set of "handle their bidness" linemen
• Offensive weapons- Caleb Williams will have his choice of targets and there will be multiple weapons at their disposal:
  • Multiple TEs that can get open. A tight-end and a running game are a QBs best friend.
  • Legitimate screen targets besides DJ Moore
  • A "Where is he? Oh shit!!!" running back addition
  • Rome Odunze's progression and more explosiveness at the WR position in general
• The Bears have some very good corners that will benefit from (hopefully) better coaching.
• The additions of Grady Jarret and Dayo Odeyingbo are going to help get Sweat back on track
• Some really solid return guys

Reasons for pessimism:

• Culture. This team only played the 2nd half of too many games last year. Why get in the habit of starting off games getting punched in the mouth and then adjusting? There needs to be more Allen Iversion "We aint afraid of nobody"
• The guy we just fired (whom we play this year because he's the DC at Dallas) knows how to significantly slow down the guy we just hired's high-fallutin' offense, and in fact, only lost to him by 3 in the second game.
• Our new head coach ran a right-tackle pass-option last year (it went about as well as you'd expect)
• With Braxton out, the offensive line (which is part of the team which needs the most time together to gel) will not be practicing together for the entire off-season, which incidentally is how we started off last off-season
• Billings health- how is his recovery? Will he be able to hold-up?
• The Bears lost the best route-runner on the team from last year (and one of the best in the NFL)
• Left-tackle questions- this will be sorted out by next year, but this year, it might not be
• Defensive questions- I feel like this team is an edge-threat away from being elite, and that's just not going to happen this year. Also Trumaine Edmunds has some work to do to live up to his contract.
• Lots of questions at both safety positions
• Lack of quality depth at offensive line. We have a ton of offensive-linemen on the roster. It remains to be seen how many good ones we have
• I'm unsure if we legitimately have a true deep threat at WR. Deep speed keeps defenses honest. Dubernay maybe, if he's not lost too much speed.
• Can CW consistently play structured and get the ball out on-schedule?
  • How many more first downs would the team have had if he'd hit Kmet last year all the times when he was open? I get sometimes that he wants to be MJ, but sometimes you have to be a point guard and distribute that rock. Lots of good things happens when you take the "gimmies"
    • More first downs
    • Keeps your defense fresher
    • More yards
    • More points
    • More wins
    • More chances for the brand when the networks are all flying to Chicago during the week to interview the "surprising" Bears for the Sunday pre-games
  • Not every pass can be 25 yards down the field

(edit: gramer kleen-ups)

 

[Washington]

I go into every year optimistic and end up disappointed. Nobody in this draft is a Day 1 game changer unless Loveland becomes what LaPorta was in his rookie year or at least close to it. While there is potential at WR3, I see him being mostly gimmick type plays (jet sweeps, WR screens) until he can learn to run routes better. I hope he doesn't have an attitude problem when he doesn't get the ball as much as he would like.

I am excited about seeing what the new coaching regime can do. I want to see what a real NFL offense looks like on the Bears. Of course, EVERYTHING falls on CW's shoulders. If he does not make a big jump, especially in his accuracy outside of 10 yards and getting rid of the ball quicker, we'll all be disappointed again.

My tempered enthusiasm has me thinking this is probably an 8 win team in '25 and they will be ready to compete for a playoff spot in '26 after another draft, FA period, and with having a year in the system under their belt.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

I’m always optimistic when the season starts.

 

[HearshotKDS]

Optimistic, I think ultimately this team goes how Caleb William goes and there is a ton of talent and potential there.

 

[Forty-six]

Optimistic! I think the season will come down to these three things...

1. Is BJ the real deal in terms of being a HC?
2. Can Caleb take a big step forward in year 2 (getting rid of the ball quicker and improve downfield accuracy)?
3. Can the OL pass protect?

It's a brutal schedule in a really tough division but I have hope the Bears are equipped to take a big step forward this year.

 

[Aquineas]

I go into every year optimistic and end up disappointed. Nobody in this draft is a Day 1 game changer unless Loveland becomes what LaPorta was in his rookie year or at least close to it. While there is potential at WR3, I see him being mostly gimmick type plays (jet sweeps, WR screens) until he can learn to run routes better. I hope he doesn't have an attitude problem when he doesn't get the ball as much as he would like.

I have higher hopes for Loveland. Completely agree on WR3.

 

[--CyBear--]

I go into every year optimistic and end up disappointed. Nobody in this draft is a Day 1 game changer unless Loveland becomes what LaPorta was in his rookie year or at least close to it. While there is potential at WR3, I see him being mostly gimmick type plays (jet sweeps, WR screens) until he can learn to run routes better. I hope he doesn't have an attitude problem when he doesn't get the ball as much as he would like.

I am excited about seeing what the new coaching regime can do. I want to see what a real NFL offense looks like on the Bears. Of course, EVERYTHING falls on CW's shoulders. If he does not make a big jump, especially in his accuracy outside of 10 yards and getting rid of the ball quicker, we'll all be disappointed again.

My tempered enthusiasm has me thinking this is probably an 8 win team in '25 and they will be ready to compete for a playoff spot in '26 after another draft, FA period, and with having a year in the system under their belt.

For me, it's not about the draft but was done before it. Both aquisitions and Staff. It turned the draft into what it should be. A bolster and not the great hope.

 

[modo]

Here is Burden's highlight reel from last year....

He is not just a gadget player. He makes some pretty tough catches and is a decent route runner.

I think they use him in certain situations because he can juke people out of their shoes.

I really like this pick for the Bears.

 

[modo]

Here is from 2023....I think people iffy on this pick don't truly appreciate he has great hands

 

[WookieOnRitalin]

The Good
-OL Play should be better which will make Caleb better
-OL Depth. Much improved now when you consider the two new draftees plus Kiran.
-Johnson's offense should make the entire offense better
-We have legit weapons at wideout/TE and will probably be okay at RB

The Not so Good
-D-Line is still a huge question mark. On paper, it looks...okay. Between Billings, Dexter, and Jarret, we will likely be better up front. My general opinion is that pass rush is a team activity and is not dictated by having a 20+ sack guy (see 2024 Chargers). I think we have some good talent in the backfield, but getting rush from your front 4 is essential for all teams. Pessimistically, Billings and Jarret will get hurt and then the team will be screwed again up front. A lot hinges on those guys staying healthy and that is not something you want to bank on in any season.
-RB will still likely be a weak point because we're kinda screwed if anything happens to Swift.


The Bears lost a lot of close games last year and the year prior. Getting over that hump to finish games is going to be the first priority with this team. The skill and talent is there. They just need to finish.

 

[modo]

I am always optimistic to start the season....

Short lists Optimism

New offensive head coach looks like the part
Coaching staff looks solid
Much improved oline...
An improving Caleb Williams
Weapons on offense

Short list pessimism

Tough division still
Defensive line looks shakey on the ends
Defense is thin at backup positions
Need to see product actually execute, not just on paper

 

[doctorbear]

You have to be optimistic with new coach who was the top candidate, multiple free agents, lots of weapons. If they start out bad, this shits gonna fall apart though

 

[Toast88]

I like the coach, corners, and offensive weapons.

I don’t like where they stand currently in the trenches. I think having suspect linemen combined with suspect safeties could end up feeding into a real problem as the season progresses.

It doesn’t matter how good your weapons are if you’re struggling to get them the ball.

It doesn’t matter how good your corners are if your safeties and d-line struggle.

Here’s what the Bears need:

*Guys who are historically injured to somehow not be injured this year.

*Braxton Jones to show up the haters (including me—I’m a hater)

*Caleb Williams to take a BIG step forward and play above his circumstances. He has the weapons, but I doubt he gets time in the pocket. He’s going to need to learn to compensate for that or we’ll really start becoming bearish in his future.

*Their running back room to do their jobs, be efficient and show that RBs are a dime a dozen.


If they can do these things, I like their chances. That’s asking an awful lot, though.

 

[sevvy]

The only thing that I'm really pessimistic about is the schedule. It's a tough schedule for a young team with a lot of new/young pieces, and a new coaching staff. But if they're gonna be good, they're gonna have to beat good teams. I hope they're up for the challenge and make strides in 2025.

 

[Washington]

Here is from 2023....I think people iffy on this pick don't truly appreciate he has great hands

I really want to like the pick. I am sure over time, it will grow on me as I expect the Loveland pick to grow on me too.

 

[bamainatlanta]

Always optimistic before the season

 

[GoBears]

The Bears ALWAYS underperform so I am pessimistic until they prove otherwise. They'll BARELY (and I mean by the skin of their teeth) win two Superbowels this year.

 

[Aquineas]

Here is from 2023....I think people iffy on this pick don't truly appreciate he has great hands

I'm definitely not questioning his talent, or his work-ethic for that matter.

 

[Rise]

I feel like in free agency they got way better. This draft is more of a down the road type draft where I feel like a lot of clubs did a better job of improving their teams for this year. I’m not saying either strategy is right just that it makes things a touch harder for 2025.

Add to that the schedule looks tough but I think they can get to 9 wins. If they win more than that I’ll be pleasantly surprised and enjoy the ride!

I’m done getting hyped, I don’t care about winning in April anymore. I’ll be hopeful but just going to see how it goes.

 

[Aquineas]

I like the coach, corners, and offensive weapons.

I don’t like where they stand currently in the trenches. I think having suspect linemen combined with suspect safeties could end up feeding into a real problem as the season progresses.

It doesn’t matter how good your weapons are if you’re struggling to get them the ball.

It doesn’t matter how good your corners are if your safeties and d-line struggle.

Here’s what the Bears need:

*Guys who are historically injured to somehow not be injured this year.

*Braxton Jones to show up the haters (including me—I’m a hater)

*Caleb Williams to take a BIG step forward and play above his circumstances. He has the weapons, but I doubt he gets time in the pocket. He’s going to need to learn to compensate for that or we’ll really start becoming bearish in his future.

*Their running back room to do their jobs, be efficient and show that RBs are a dime a dozen.


If they can do these things, I like their chances. That’s asking an awful lot, though.

Regarding the line, I feel like they have at least 5-6 good linemen on the team (depending on if you include Braxton Jones and include Bill Murray). You might have 7 with the new tackle. Bates will be okay in spots at backup if he's healed up.