This Sunday, the Detroit Lions will compete in their first NFC Championship game since the 1991 season, highlighting the fact that the Chicago Bears currently hold the longest NFC Championship game drought in the NFC North.
In contrast, the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and the Lions have all made appearances in at least one NFC Championship Game since the 2010 season, while the Bears' last appearance dates back to that same year when they lost to the Green Bay Packers, who went on to win Super Bowl XLV.
Since their last NFC Championship game, the Bears have recorded the fewest playoff wins and playoff appearances among all NFC North teams. Meanwhile, the McCaskey family, which oversees the team, has watched the playoffs from home for the third consecutive year, while the Detroit Lions, traditionally seen as NFL underdogs, are navigating the NFC playoffs with remarkable ease.
The Chicago Bears must take note of the Lions' unexpected success. The primary issue lies in the fact that the McCaskey family seems resistant to adapting to the modern NFL landscape. In today's game, relying solely on a hard-hitting defense, a strong running game, and neglecting quarterback development does not yield success in 2024. Remarkably, only Mitch Trubisky and Jim McMahon have represented the Bears as Pro Bowl quarterbacks in the last four decades, with Trubisky serving as an alternate in the 2018 season. Even the Houston Texans, who have existed as an NFL team since 2002, have produced more Pro Bowl quarterbacks and 4,000-yard passers than the Bears (an astounding fact considering the Bears' century-long history, during which they have never had a 4,000-yard passer).
As we witness the Lions exceed expectations and break free from decades of disappointment, the Bears appear stuck in a repetitive cycle that has hindered their success over the past 15 years. It is imperative that the Bears undergo a fundamental transformation in 2024. With the leadership of Ryan Poles, Matt Eberflus, and new coordinators, there is hope that the team can chart a new course for the future.
