Bears Ranked as One of the Top 5 Most Overrated NFL Teams in 2024

In an offseason of changes, the Bears traded Justin Fields to make room for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and enhanced their offense with veteran receiver Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze. This bolstered squad, combined with a promising finish to the 2023 season by the defense, justifies the rising optimism.

However, the Bears face tough divisional rivals in the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers and a challenging NFC West, which could complicate their playoff hopes. Additionally, last year's defensive improvement coincided with matchups against some of the league's weakest offenses. With these factors, the Bears are better positioned, but preparing for a fourth consecutive postseason absence might be prudent.

Key Roster Needs: Left Tackle and Edge Rusher

Braxton Jones, currently starting at left tackle, was a solid performer last season, ranked by Pro Football Focus as the 35th out of 81 qualifying tackles based on snap counts. Despite this, he allowed 2 sacks and incurred 9 penalties over 421 pass-blocking snaps. Jones has shown improvement since being drafted in the fifth round in 2022, but doubts remain about his long-term viability. The Bears drafted Kiran Amegadjie as a potential future replacement, but passing on a higher-tier talent during the draft has raised questions.

The defensive lineup also reveals gaps, particularly in the pass rush. Montez Sweat led with 6 sacks in half a season, highlighting the need for another effective pass rusher. Austin Booker, a recent draft pick, and DeMarcus Walker are in the mix, but neither provides a definitive solution. A potential short-term answer might be re-signing Yannick Ngakoue, who knows Coach Matt Eberflus' system but struggled last season with only 4 sacks.

As the new season approaches, the Bears' management and strategy, particularly concerning these critical positions, will be under scrutiny, influencing both their performance and long-term team structure.