By: Michael Higgins

The Chicago Bears set themselves up nicely with two top picks in the 2024 Draft after making a trade with the Panthers last offseason. A team that was not able to unlock the gates to success has completely redesigned their unit. The Bears finished the season 7-10, but needed to raise their ceiling.

Deciding whether to trade Justin Fields was the first step. Having the 1st pick in the draft certainly made the decision easier. Chicago sent Fields to the Steelers. They also let key players such as WR Darnell Mooney, IOL Cody Whitehair, and SAF Eddie Jackson leave in free agency.

The players who left the team this offseason pale in comparison to those that GM Ryan Poles brought in. To start, they brought in former Eagles’ RB D’Andre Swift on a lucrative multi-year deal. They also traded for WR Keenan Allen to provide a veteran presence for their young core. Other players brought in on multi-year deals include TE George Everett, SAF Kevin Byard, and SAF Jonathan Owens.

In the draft, Chicago did very well, aside from taking a punter in the 4th round. They took QB Caleb Williams and WR Rome Odunze in Round 1 to solidify that offense. With a young and improving offensive line, the offense seems to have taken shape. This also makes them a tough team to figure out, as there was so much overhaul over the offseason.

The Bears open the season at home against the Titans. They then go on the road for two games against the Texans and Colts before closing September at home against the Rams. I have the Bears starting 2-2.

They host the Panthers before going to London to play the Jaguars. Chicago has an early bye week in Week 7 and then it is back on the road to face the Commanders. The Bears will go 2-1 in this stretch of games, making them 4-3.

Chicago travels to play the Cardinals before hosting the Patriots, Packers, and Vikings in weeks 10, 11, and 12. They then have a Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions in Detroit. The Bears will go 2-3 in November and will sit at 6-6 going into the final month of the regular season.

They have a road date against the 49ers in Week 14 before traveling to Minnesota for a Monday Night Football matchup against the Vikings. They host the Lions and then the Seahawks for Weel 17’s Thursday Night Football before finishing the season in Green Bay against the Packers. The Bears will go 1-4 in this final stretch of games.

I have the Bears finishing the 2024 season with a record of 7-10. This is the same record they had last season, but it is a different feeling. They have a completely new core and were able to quickly change the course of the rebuild. The following season is one in which fans should expect a significant step to be taken.

2023 Record: 7-10

2024 Prediction: 7-10