It’s hard not to feel optimistic about the Chicago Bears following the previous couple of months. Despite some dicey situations, the team managed to meet most of its objectives. They got deeper at several positions and most importantly found their quarterback of the future in Justin Fields. The offensive line is younger and more athletic. Defensively they suffered a tough loss in Kyle Fuller but remain a talented unit otherwise.
Is it crazy to think this team can win 10 games in 2021 with improved quarterback play? Apparently yes. At least according to Las Vegas. Sports Illustrated gambling analyst Roy Larking broke down the NFC North division going into this season. Based on what the numbers are telling him, the Bears haven’t done enough to gain any ground. In fact, not only are they still behind the Green Bay Packers but also the Minnesota Vikings as favorites to win the North.
“Despite their 2020 playoff appearance, Chicago is third chalk with a (+300) NFC North title price at FanDuel. Following four tumultuous seasons, the Bears let free agent QB Mitch Trubisky walk and he will now ride the pine in Buffalo. Chicago signed QB Andy Dalton in the offseason. He is projected to start over rookie Justin Fields who the Bears selected 11th overall during the 2021 NFL Draft.”
The pessimism isn’t hard to ascertain.
Larking references the uncertainty at quarterback as a primary reason why the Bears remain so low. The Packers have Aaron Rodgers and the Vikings have Kirk Cousins. Both of them are superior to either Dalton or Fields at this point. However, he did make one admission. Things could take a dramatic shift depending on what happens with Rodgers. It is a common fact that he is at odds with Green Bay management. Enough to where he wants to be traded and could sit out the season if his request isn’t granted.
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Nobody knows for sure if he’ll follow through on that threat or if the Packers change their minds about dealing him. What is clear is if he leaves the division, the Bears’ odds instantly improve. Their roster is still among the most talented in the NFC and fully capable of taking on top opponents. The constant drawback has been inconsistency at QB. Maybe Dalton can improve on what they had last year. Or maybe Fields can work some rookie magic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAPDVQHA32s
Chicago Bears will control their own destiny
It certainly isn’t going to be an easy road. By all accounts, the Bears will face a fairly challenging schedule this season. One littered with playoff teams from last season. If they’re not careful, their entire year could be determined before the halfway point in early November. It starts off with the Rams on opening night and doesn’t really relent until two weeks after the bye.
At that point, things seem to ease slightly. It may not matter though. If the Chicago Bears play the way they did most of the second half last season, then things are going to get ugly. It comes down to whether George McCaskey’s faith in head coach Matt Nagy and his plan is well-founded. They seem to have the offense pointed in the right direction. Can they get improvement from it and can the defense deliver one more good year.
If so, this team can make the playoffs.
The talent is there. It is a question of getting it to perform at its best. This coaching staff is certainly under a lot of pressure to do so. Thus far Nagy hasn’t done terrible with no losing seasons in three years. Still, expectations are higher for this franchise than slipping in on the wild card. Bears fans demand championship aspirations. This year will determine what direction they’re headed.