Since Ryan Poles took on the role of General Manager for the Bears in 2022, he has successfully transformed the team’s roster into a formidable force. Despite several missed opportunities that led to a less-than-ideal record last season, the Bears could have easily secured a playoff spot if they hadn’t choked several fourth-quarter leads. Nonetheless, things are shaping up for the Bears—a young, ascending team filled with talented players on both sides of the ball. There is still a lot left to be determined this offseason. Who will the Bears sign in Free Agency? Who will the Bears draft? Are the Bears going to keep Justin Fields or trade him? Regardless of these uncertainties, all signs indicate the Bears are playoff-bound in 2024.
The Chicago Bears Will Be Playoff-Bound In 2024
Putting The Quarterback In A Favorable Position
Let’s be honest here. Fields, during his tenure as a Bear, had arguably the worst supporting cast around him. Succeeding as a quarterback becomes challenging without talent on offense. Nevertheless, there’s an opportunity for Poles to address this. Adding D.J. Moore brought a transformative impact, elevating Fields’ performance significantly. However, the Bears still require substantial offensive reinforcements. Apart from Moore and tight-end Cole Kmet, there’s a notable absence of reliable receiving options. Additionally, the offensive line, particularly at the center position, could benefit from more help.
Those problems will change this offseason. Poles put the Bears in a position to address those areas of concern. The Bears have an estimated 68.58 million dollars in cap space and two picks in the top 10 of the first round. The Bears should be able to acquire another reliable receiving threat and a center through either Free Agency or the NFL Draft. If the Bears do that (assuming they will), then that gives whoever will be starting at quarterback a more than capable offense to perform on.
Vegas Believes In The Bears, And So Should You
According to DraftKings, the Bears are entering the 2024 season with the sixth-best odds in the NFC to win the Super Bowl (+1400 odds). Considering seven teams qualify for the playoffs from each conference, Vegas suggests a strong likelihood that the Bears will secure a playoff spot. The uncertainty lies in whether Fields or the consensus No. 1 college quarterback, Caleb Williams, will be at the helm for the Bears next season. Regardless of the quarterback situation, the Bears seem poised for a playoff run. Think about it like this: The Bears play five out of the six worst NFL teams in 2024. That list includes the Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, and the Tenessee Titans.
Furthermore, the Bears will play only five playoff teams in the upcoming season. Notably, two of these playoff teams are familiar foes, the Lions and Packers. With a continued focus on maintaining momentum and enhancing the roster, Chicago appears to be in a playoffs-or-bust scenario for the upcoming season.
Hidden X-Factor That Will Make The Chicago Bears Playoff-Bound
Poles has turned this franchise upside down. Apart from his Chase Claypool trade, Poles has restructured and revamped the Bears into a team ready to contend in the playoffs. The pivotal moment came with Poles’ trade with the Panthers last season, propelling the Bears from being the worst NFL team to potentially being playoff-bound next season. This trade resulted in acquiring critical assets such as Moore, Darnell Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, a 2025 second-round pick, and the coveted No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Poles’ strategic moves extended beyond trades, with impactful additions to the roster including Montez Sweat, Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Nate Davis, and Andrew Billings, fortifying the Bears for an imminent playoff run. If Poles continues to build upon this foundation, the Bears appear well-positioned to secure a playoff spot in the upcoming season.
Main Photo: Daniel Bartel – USA Today Sports
