Four Causes for Hope as the Bears Gear Up for Training Camp
Despite the Chicago Bears' dismal 2022 season - notching only three victories and rounding out the year with a harsh streak of 10 losses - the mood of the off-season sings a different tune.
In 2023, it's as though a fresh wind is sweeping across the Windy City, with the Bears sparking a surge of anticipation. Sure, we're not talking about championship aspirations just yet, but there's a resounding belief among fans that the team could be a contender for a playoff berth in the unpredictable NFC.
So, let's dive into the four reasons why 2023 has painted a hopeful horizon for the Bear enthusiasts:
1. The Offensive Weapons Are Looking SharpHistorically, a single wide receiver has been known to turn the tide for young quarterbacks, catapulting the team's performance. Consider the Bills' trajectory with the addition of Stefon Diggs to Josh Allen's arsenal, or the Eagles' Super Bowl journey propelled by the acquisition of A.J. Brown. Following in these footsteps, the Bears are betting on D.J. Moore to carry that torch.
With Darnell Mooney making a healthy return, Chase Claypool having a whole off-season to gel with Luke Getsy's strategy, and the addition of Tyler Scott through the draft, the offensive line is looking robust. The Bears have further bolstered their tight end spot with Robert Tonyan alongside Cole Kmet, and a sturdy team of running backs. These enhancements are predicted to provide the necessary support for Justin Fields to make the anticipated strides in his performance.
2. A Sturdier Offensive Line Justin Fields, unfortunately, held the dubious distinction of being the most sacked quarterback in the NFL in 2022, with a whopping 55 sacks. The Bears have addressed this issue head-on, bringing in Darnell Wright to fortify the right tackle spot and Nate Davis from Tennessee to clean up the right guard. These additions should alleviate some of the relentless pressure Fields experienced, facing edge rushers on 26.9 percent of drop backs.
3. A Resilient Defense In 2022, the Bears' defense languished at the bottom of the NFL in terms of DVOA. However, the injection of Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards into the linebacker corps, coupled with a young secondary that showed promise in glimpses last season, should foster substantial improvements. It wouldn't hurt to further strengthen the pass-rushing department - maybe a potential call to Washington about Chase Young, Ryan Poles?
4. A Shot at the NFC North TitleFor the past fifteen years, the NFC North was practically the property of Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. With Rodgers now suiting up for the New York team, the division has been blown wide open. Sure, the Lions may be the pundits' pick after their remarkable transformation in the second half of 2022, and their defensive enhancements. However, with the Vikings in a transitional phase, and the Packers facing uncertainty, the Bears could well stake their claim for the NFC North title.
| POLL | ||
17 JUILLET | 59 ANSWERS Four Causes for Hope as the Bears Gear Up for Training Camp Will the Bears win more than half of their games this season? | ||
| Yes | 47 | 79.7 % |
| No | 12 | 20.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
