There’s no doubt the Chicago Bears offense will be tough to defend. With newly acquired pieces, whether via the draft or free agency, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams can take the offense to new heights in Chicago. After years of underwhelming performances, Warren Sharp shared some eye-popping statistics that show the Bears offense is set to explode this season.
Eye-Popping Statistics Show the Bears Offense Is Set to Explode
Preseason Data Sparks Optimism for a Dynamic Offense in 2024
Sharp noted that Williams ranked second in air yards per attempt at 10.1 and led the NFL with the most time to throw, averaging 3.4 seconds.
Breaking this down, ranking second in air yards per attempt, shows that Williams wasn’t just opting for short, safe passes. Instead, he was focused on pushing the ball downfield and keeping drives alive. While having the most time to throw can suggest Williams holds onto the ball longer than most QBs, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. When Justin Fields was the Bears’ quarterback, the Bears’ offensive line ranked fifth in ESPN’s pass block win rate. Pass block win rate measures the rate at which linemen can sustain their blocks for 2.5 seconds or longer. Yet despite this, Fields faced pressure on 49% of his dropbacks last season—the highest rate in the league.
The relationship between a quarterback and their offensive line is interconnected. Even with excellent pass blocking, a quarterback’s decision-making, pocket awareness, and mobility can drastically impact the number of sacks they take. For Fields, his incredible athleticism has been both a gift and a curse. He’s one of the most electrifying dual-threat quarterbacks in the league, but his tendency to hold onto the ball too long has resulted in drive-killing sacks.
The contrast between Fields and Williams is a topic in itself, but when it comes to avoiding sacks, Williams is much better in that category than Fields. Playing behind an offensive line that’ll give Williams the time to find his target equals a high-powered offense that can easily put up double-digit points every game. Williams’ knack for extending plays without taking costly sacks could turn one of the Bears’ biggest weaknesses into a major strength.
Favorable Schedule & New Offensive Coordinator
Williams isn’t the only thing helping the Bears offense. Even without him, the Bears have a huge advantage heading into the 2024 season. According to Sharp, based on the 2023 performance of their opponents, the Bears are projected to face the #1 easiest schedule of pass defenses and the #1 easiest schedule of defenses in terms of limiting explosive plays. The combination of elite pass blocking and a favorable slate of defenses is a match made in heaven for Williams’ and the Bears’ offense.
Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of the Bears offense is the hiring of Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron. PFF released an article over the offseason summarizing the efficiency of each NFL offense last season. The Seattle Seahawks offense, which Waldron ran then, was a top-tier offense that was pass-heavy and successful when throwing. In contrast, the Bears struggled in 2023, generating low average EPA per play and struggling to convert on fourth down.
Bringing Waldron over to help run the offense will be a significant addition, as he’ll help the Bears’ offense explode in 2024.
Read More: Caleb Williams’ Impact on the Bears Could Redefine the Franchise
Main Image: Sam Greene – USA Today Sports
