An optimist's guide to the 2024 Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are coming off their third consecutive losing season, but optimism might be at an all-time high for the franchise.

Here are three reasons they’ll bounce back in 2024.

1. Caleb Williams isn't Justin Fields 

Why the Fields era in Chicago failed can be argued until the cows come home. Even though Williams has yet to play an NFL game, he may already be what the Bears need, which is to be the opposite of the quarterback he's replacing.

Fields has regressed steadily over three NFL seasons. After completing 68.4 percent of his passes in college, that number has dropped significantly (60.3) at the pro level. Meanwhile, Williams was committed to getting better in college, increasing his completion percentage each season at USC, and there's reason to believe those traits will translate to the pro level.

While Fields criticized the coaching he received and seemed disinterested in advice from a Super Bowl MVP, Williams has dug in deep before suiting up for his first game. Speaking with reporters during voluntary OTA's, head coach Matt Eberflus said the former Heisman Trophy winner has "worked his tail off," arriving early, staying late and asking questions to improve and learn the offense more quickly.

2. Rome Odunze is a massive upgrade

The two wideouts selected ahead of Odunze, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, will be asked to immediately be the No. 1 target for their new teams. However, with Pro Bowl wideout D.J. Moore, tight end Cole Kmet and veteran offseason signing Keenan Allen already in tow for the Bears, Odunze has a unique chance to break out.

Behind Moore (96) and Kmet (73), running back Roschon Johnson was the Bears' third-best pass-catching option, finishing with 34 receptions in 2023. Now, Odunze, who led the FBS in receiving yards (1,640) last season and might've been the first receiver off the board in practically any other year, will plug into that role.

Odunze's skillset alone makes him a dangerous weapon, but without the burden of carrying the offense himself, he's a massive upgrade for Chicago's offense, which can't be understated. 

3. Bears secondary is for real 

Last season, the Bears didn't fare very well against the pass, ranking 25th in the NFL. However, if new acquisitions can fit in and young players can take another leap forward, 2024 should be much different.

Firstly, Chicago addressed concerns at safety by adding veteran free-agent and two-time All-Pro Kevin Byard. Furthermore, with cornerback Jaylon Johnson having already broken out among the Bears' relatively young secondary, second-year DB Tyrique Stevenson might be next.

The 2023 second-round pick started 16 games last season, recording four interceptions and 16 pass defenses while allowing a 60.3 completion percentage. Meanwhile, Stevenson got stronger as the year progressed, earning his highest Pro Football Focus grades of 2023 in four of his last six games.