Will rookie QB Caleb Williams lead Bears to playoffs in 2024?

Will rookie quarterback Caleb Williams help the Bears snap their three-year playoff drought this season?

Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post listed the Bears as one of six surprise teams that could make the postseason in 2024.

"Yeah, I'm buying the Bears, and I'm buying Caleb," a college evaluator told La Canfora. "He definitely has the 'It' factor, and he can process presnap, and I think he can succeed as a rookie where a lot of guys fail. But Caleb can win off-script and has three really good receivers who all complement each other well."

This offseason, the Bears bolstered a solid receiving corps that already featured wide receiver D.J. Moore and tight end Cole Kmet. They acquired six-time Pro Bowl WR Keenan Allen in a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers and drafted Washington's Rome Odunze (pick No. 9)

The Athletic's Jeff Howe suggested Odunze may challenge Williams for Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

Still, the Bears' playoff hopes likely hinge on whether No. 1 overall pick Williams lives up to the hype.  

"The Chicago Bears have rarely sniffed relevance in the last decade, posting a winning record just once," wrote The Athletic's Mike Jones. "But they're counting on the top pick of this year's draft to end their long-running quarterback carousel and transform them into contenders."

Williams had some accuracy issues in the preseason but did show the tools that made him a highly touted prospect. In two games, he completed 10-of-20 passes for 170 yards. He also rushed for 20 yards and one TD on two carries.