National media puts Bears on red alert for 2023 season
The Chicago Bears are expected to make major improvements in 2023. They do have some intriguing talent, and they addressed some of their biggest needs in free agency and the NFL Draft. How much pressure are the players and staff truly under to have a marginally-improved season? HC Matt Eberflus proved that he was capable […]
The Chicago Bears are expected to make major improvements in 2023. They do have some intriguing talent, and they addressed some of their biggest needs in free agency and the NFL Draft. How much pressure are the players and staff truly under to have a marginally-improved season?
HC Matt Eberflus proved that he was capable last year, regardless of their poor record. That being said, he now has to show that he can start to pull this team out of the valley it has been in over the past handful of seasons. The inconsistency has been frustrating for fans, but they think that Justin Fields is their cornerstone QB. Chicago improved their offensive line, and the defense has some young, impact talent.
Dan Hanzus of NFL.com thinks that they must have a sense of urgency, too, though. Out of 10, Hanzus gives them a 7.5 "rating of urgency." It is a tough assessment for Chicago – overall.
Let's start here: I thought Chicago played this offseason in a smart and sensible manner. The Bears opted to go all in on third-year quarterback Justin Fields, trading out of the No. 1 overall pick and then using that bounty — along with the rest of their draft class and free agency — to construct a far more compelling roster than what we saw during last season's 3-14 bloodletting. The decision to stick with Fields as The Future was presented as a no-brainer by Bears brass, but they'll have their fingers crossed the former first-round pick will reward their faith now that he's surrounded by better talent. The second-year tandem of head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles could be in trouble if Fields is still seen as an untapped resource by this time next year. The Lions were the NFL's feel-good story in 2022 — if the Bears don't follow a similar trajectory, questions will be asked about this NFC North squad's current leadership. — Hanzus
Hanzus makes some good points. In the NFL, you don't have tons of time to turn a team around, and that process is sped up when you make massive moves – like trading the top overall pick. They got Fields a new shiny toy at WR in D.J. Moore as well.
One position group that is quite unproven for them now is their defensive line. Eberflus has gotten legit production from lesser-known players before, but it'll be another challenge for him. No matter what – the Bears cannot afford to be in the cellar of the NFC North again.
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