The Chicago Bears don’t usually get the benefit of the doubt with their offseason moves. That is hardly a surprise when you’re a franchise with exactly one winning season in the past decade. GM Ryan Poles might have admirers across the NFL, but that doesn’t extend to the media. They see somebody who’s failed to produce a winner in the past three years and had to fire his head coach midseason. So, fans should not be surprised or indignant that other teams are getting more buzz and excitement from the national media.
That said, it doesn’t mean the Bears aren’t getting some respect for their work this spring. Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report rated the 25 best moves of the offseason. Some obvious ones were near the top, like Washington landing Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel, or the Raiders getting Geno Smith. However, there was only one team at the top of the pile. That was the Bears, and it was for something they’ve spent several decades ignoring or mismanaging.
1. The Chicago Bears’ Offensive Overhaul
This was a series of moves that all had the same goal: to help quarterback Caleb Williams take a step forward in 2025. The hiring of one of the NFL’s top offensive minds in head coach Ben Johnson. Overhauling an O-line that surrendered the most sacks in the league a year ago. Adding a pair of passing-game weapons in the draft in tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III. A huge Year 2 from Williams is hardly guaranteed, but the Bears put him in position to succeed.
The Chicago Bears pushed all the right buttons…on paper.
Fans have seen variations of this story before. The team makes a series of exciting offensive moves that set them up for long-term success. Then, for some reason, it fizzles. It was nabbing Jermon Bushrod, Martellus Bennett, and Kyle Long in 2013. It was scoring Allen Robinson, James Daniels, and Anthony Miller in 2018. Each time, there was a brief window of success followed by disappointment. Why should this time feel different? The answer is Ben Johnson. Coaching has always been at the root of the problem for the Chicago Bears on offense. Marc Trestman hadn’t been in the league for almost a decade. Matt Nagy only had one season as an offensive coordinator. Ben Johnson has had three, and all ended up ranking in the top 10. He is by far the most accomplished mind the Bears have hired. When you combine this new talent with his coaching, it justifies the building hype.
Speaking of mental health, we got a “doctor” who could use some therapy.
I knew the selection of my soon to be HC BEN even before the Thanksgiving game would be #1. It was already a done deal well before the Jags and Raiders terror of uncertainty. I loved how RoosterRider went from anxious to doom and gloom during the latter time. Go back and read his comments–the most negative about the Bears of anyone here. Of course, I did fuel a small portion of it. But once he was signed, Poles became a mastermind once again. Such terrible mental health. But as Lennon sang, “whatever gets you through the night…and your life,… Read more »
Caleb reaching 4K yards passing will require averaging 29 yards per game more than as a rookie. Better O-line on paper and in past history should aid that. Play action can aid that, Ben’s key job will be getting Caleb to understand that getting positive yards on 1st down, instead of 7 yard loss with a sack will help that as well. If im being forced to pick over/under on 4K, im leaning heavily on over.
This might be the first time in years that I might take a Bear or 2 for my fantasy team.
Anthony Miller! What wasted talent!