The Chicago Bears did everything in their power to try and surround first overall pick Caleb Williams with as much talent as they possibly could.
Just because the Bears have revamped their roster (and coaching staff) for Williams doesn’t mean there isn’t uncertainty in certain key areas.
Today, we’ll break down the five biggest questions the Bears still need to answer.
Unanswered Questions Ahead of Chicago Bears Training Camp
Chicago opens up training camp on July 19 with practices beginning the following day, and heading into those key dates, the Bears know they have a young roster full of All-Pro caliber players and unproven rookies.
Still, under the watchful eye of Matt Eberflus, the Bears have plenty to prove going into the new season. It all starts in camp this week, though.
Chicago is coming off a 7-10 season that had many analysts questioning whether former quarterback Justin Fields would remain with the team and/or if Eberflus would be joining him on his way out the door.
Instead of a full teardown, the Bears decided to reshape the offensive staff and replace their quarterback while keeping their coaching staff’s principles together. As the Bears prepare for their third training camp under Eberflus, there are plenty of questions still for the team to answer.
Does Caleb Williams Look Ready To Have a C.J. Stroud-like Rookie Season?
It was once Ben Roethlisberger. Then it was Andrew Luck and Dak Prescott. Now it’s C.J. Stroud.
While most rookies need time to develop into top passers, some youngsters take the bull by the horns and excel right away.
Stroud’s historical 2023 finish while rebuilding the Houston Texans into a championship contender is something that many Bears fans are hoping Williams can replicate — especially since there was a minority of people who felt Fields should have been given another chance in Chicago.
Regardless of how upset some members of the fanbase are, Williams’ development will be the biggest question surrounding training camp concerning the Bears’ future and present status as a top NFC team.
Can the Defense Carry Over Its Momentum From the Second Half of Last Season?
Toward the end of the 2023 season, the Bears’ defense was among the best in the NFL. Chicago finished with the league’s No. 1 run defense, the 12th-best unit overall, and boasted an All-Pro cornerback in Jaylon Johnson.
If Johnson can continue his development as one of the best cornerbacks in the game, Chicago’s defense is positioned to recommit to the “Monsters of the Midway” mindset that was once a calling card of the unit. Other players such as Montez Sweat, who’s heading into his first full season with the team, could also help the Bears’ pass rush be even more effective.
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Watching how this group performs early in camp should tell a whole lot.
What Will Rome Odunze’s Role Be in a Crowded Offense?
Before the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bears appeared to have plenty of offensive weapons following the emergence of DJ Moore as a top receiver and a trade for Los Angeles Chargers Pro Bowler Keenan Allen.
With the ninth overall pick, though, the Bears added even more to their depth chart with the selection of Washington’s Rome Odunze.
Odunze is a complete offensive prospect overall as a receiver and figures to be instrumental to Williams’ development. He may not get as many snaps early on as Allen or Moore, but Odunze should still be an important piece of Chicago’s offense.
At least we’ll get an answer on what kind of piece early throughout camp.
How Will the Offensive Line Gel After Another Offseason Together?
While many analysts and fans complained about the lack of support Fields received, the Bears’ offensive line was far closer to above average than people give them credit for.
First-round rookie Darnell Wright performed admirably in his first year and helped pave the way to Chicago recording the second-best rushing offense in the league. With another year together, the Bears’ offensive line has the chance to become an elite group in 2024.
Is Matt Eberflus a Legitimately Good Head Coach?
Eberflus has improved his win total in both years he’s been the leader of the Bears organization. Three wins to seven may not seem like a major jump, but for an organization like Chicago, the improvement could be the stepping stone to something more.
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That isn’t always guaranteed, though. Eberflus has built a strong overall defense in the first two years he’s been in the Windy City, but he’s struggled to find solutions on the offensive end.
Eberflus is entering a make-or-break third season in Chicago. If he’s able to continue the development of the franchise, he’ll be given another year. Anything less and the Bears could be looking for a new head coach in 2025.