2024 NFL Power Rankings: Chicago Bears
Throughout the 2024 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Below you will find a post-NFL draft roundup for the Chicago Bears in our consensus 2024 NFL Power Rankings.
ESPN -- Rank: 16
Most improved: Quarterback
Justin Fields reached a career-high 2,562 passing yards in his third season in Chicago while accounting for 20 total touchdowns and nine interceptions. Those numbers were an improvement but still highlighted the inconsistencies the team has long had with its quarterback play.
With No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, the Bears expect those numbers to spike considerably, given the upgrade of his capabilities as a passer. Williams' arm strength, accuracy, mobility and ability to hit the same target whether he's under pressure or not are qualities Chicago believes will elevate the entire offense and take a passing attack that ranked 27th (182.1 YPG) to new heights. -- Courtney Cronin
Justin Fields reached a career-high 2,562 passing yards in his third season in Chicago while accounting for 20 total touchdowns and nine interceptions. Those numbers were an improvement but still highlighted the inconsistencies the team has long had with its quarterback play.
With No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, the Bears expect those numbers to spike considerably, given the upgrade of his capabilities as a passer. Williams' arm strength, accuracy, mobility and ability to hit the same target whether he's under pressure or not are qualities Chicago believes will elevate the entire offense and take a passing attack that ranked 27th (182.1 YPG) to new heights. -- Courtney Cronin
NFL.com -- Rank: 16
We've graduated the Bears to the top half of the NFL. It's no charity situation, either. QB Caleb Williams' arrival was forecasted for weeks, but landing WR Rome Odunze as a new target for Williams at No. 9 overall was pretty darned exciting. I kept thinking Chicago would move down to add more picks, but the Bears stuck with Odunze and found a way to swing back into Round 5 -- after they'd used all four of the selections with which they entered the draft -- to pluck fascinating edge Austin Booker. But back to the offense. The Bears have a legitimate one now. No, really. Williams, Odunze, WR Keenan Allen and RB D'Andre Swift are four major additions to a group that was starting to show some promise in 2023. The upgrades mean new coordinator Shane Waldron will have no excuses not to be somewhere on the upper end of the league's spectrum, if not still a shade behind the truly elite units. Even in the really tough NFC North, that should be enough to get Chicago into the playoff mix.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 17
By drafting Caleb Williams first and Rome Odunze ninth, they have the makings of a special offense. If Williams is the real deal, they could push to win the division.
USA Today -- Rank: 15
Yes, they drafted first overall to get QB Caleb Williams, but don't forget this team went 7-10 (including a 5-3 finish) before its infusion of rookie talent — and WR Rome Odunze is a huge part of that equation — and the acquisitions of veteran WR Keenan Allen, RB D'Andre Swift, TE Gerald Everett and S Kevin Byard. The playoffs should be a legit possibility in 2024.
The Athletic -- Rank: 13
No one moved up more in this edition of the Power Rankings than the Bears, who drafted uber-talented quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick and elite wide receiver prospect Rome Odunze with the No. 9 pick. They made only five draft picks, but that's not doing anything to slow down expectations in Chicago. The Bears have one division title in the last 13 years, but they're expected to be true challengers to the Lions and Packers this year.
Fox Sports -- Rank: 15
No pressure, Caleb. The defense was great down the home stretch of 2023, and now the offense has the No. 1 overall pick at quarterback, a loaded receiver corps, a 1,000-yard rusher and a capable offensive line. I don't expect Caleb Williams and the new-look Bears to do anything crazy like win the division, but I do expect them to be a fun, competitive squad. That'd be a hell of a first step for Chicago.
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