Three reasons to be optimistic about the Chicago Bears

Despite a three-win season and last-place finish in the NFC North, there’s plenty for the Chicago Bears to look forward to in Year 2 under head coach Matt Eberflus. 

A young roster (Chicago has just 10 players over the age of 29), a ton of cap space, a young franchise quarterback, the No. 1 run offense in the NFL this season and the top pick in the 2023 draft highlight a few things the Bears have going for them.

Below are three specific reasons for the Bears to be optimistic heading into 2023:

1. Justin Fields throwing to a healthy Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool

Mooney, who had 81 receptions for 1,055 yards in 2021, never quite found his footing this year. He played in just 12 games before missing the final five with an ankle injury.

After acquiring Claypool in a midseason trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, big things were expected from the 6-foot-4 wideout in the Bears' revamped passing game; however, Claypool and Mooney played in only three games together.

The Bears had the fewest passing attempts and passing yards this season, but with his top three weapons healthy (including tight end Cole Kmet), and Claypool having a full offseason with the playbook, Fields is in position to improve on his breakout 2022 season.

2. Most cap space in the NFL

Chicago’s $88.5 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap, is nearly $40 million more than the next-closest team. With major holes on the offensive and defensive lines, possibly wanting to upgrade at receiver and improvements needed along the front seven, the Bears should be major players for any high-profile free agent they want.

Offensive tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Mike McGlinchey, receivers Allen Lazard or JuJu Smith-Schuster, edge-rushers Brandon Graham and Yannick Ngakoue, defensive tackles Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave and linebackers Deion Jones and Lavonte David are all in play for a Chicago team that needs upgrading at nearly every position.

3. They have the No. 1 overall pick

If Bears general manager Ryan Poles is getting as many calls about the top pick as are being reported, the franchise could be in line to set itself up for quite some time should it trade out.

The last time the No. 1 pick was traded, the Los Angeles Rams sent the Tennessee Titans two first-round picks, two second-round picks and two third-round picks. Any team wanting to leapfrog the Houston Texans to get Alabama QB Bruce Young could potentially pay an even steeper price.

If the Bears don’t trade and stay put, they could land a franchise-changing defensive lineman in either Alabama edge-rusher Will Anderson or Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter.