The Chicago Bears are coming to a television near you.
The NFL and NFL Films have selected the Bears to appear on this year’s version of “Hard Knocks,” the annual HBO docuseries that chronicles one NFL team’s training camp and preseason.
This will mark Chicago’s first appearance on the show. The first episode featuring the Bears will air on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
Why the NFL Chose the Chicago Bears for ‘Hard Knocks’
The NFL can force a team to participate on “Hard Knocks” if they haven’t met any of the following criteria:
- They have a first-year head coach in place.
- They’ve had a playoff berth in the past two seasons.
- They’ve appeared on “Hard Knocks” in the past 10 years.
In 2024, only three clubs could have been mandated to appear on “Hard Knocks”: the Bears, Denver Broncos, and New Orleans Saints.
Why did the NFL pick the Bears? Here are the top three storylines to watch for when the show debuts.
Caleb Williams Is a Potential Superstar
It’s a new day in Chicago, where No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams hopes to turn the Bears into a perennial contender.
The Caleb Williams era in Chicago kicks off under the bright lights. 🎥 #DaBears | #HardKnocks pic.twitter.com/Ur8HdIPZHl
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) May 30, 2024
Few quarterbacks have entered the NFL with as much hype as Williams, who won the Heisman Trophy for USC in 2022.
The Bears didn’t think twice about selecting him at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft after he averaged 9.4 yards per attempt while throwing 30 touchdowns and five interceptions for the Trojans last season.
The NFC North is a challenging division, but if everything breaks right in 2024, Williams could become the 10th rookie quarterback since 2011 to take his team to the postseason.
The Bears’ Offense Should Be Fun
Chicago isn’t solely pinning its hopes on Williams becoming a dominant force in Year 1.
General manager Ryan Poles spent the past few offseasons building what should be a high-powered offensive environment around his new franchise quarterback.
Williams is stepping into the best situation for any rookie QB drafted first overall since 2011 (when the NFL began using slotted rookie contracts).
Insisting on WR DJ Moore as part of the Carolina Panthers’ package for the No. 1 pick in 2023 was a masterstroke for the Bears. Acquiring WR Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason for a fourth-round pick represented another coup.
After grabbing Williams to kick off the 2024 draft, Chicago watched as WR Rome Odunze serendipitously fell into their laps at No. 9. Add RBs D’Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert, and Roschon Johnson, TEs Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett, and a solid offensive line, and the Bears have given Williams the best set of weapons of any QB in recent NFL history.
Make or Break Season for Bears HC Matt Eberflus?
While the Bears are primed to contend in 2024, things don’t always go according to plan. If Chicago flails next season after making so many additions over the past few months, it’s hard to imagine head coach Matt Eberflus keeping his job heading into 2025.
Poles has done an excellent job constructing the Bears’ roster; he won’t have to take any blame if the club doesn’t live up to its potential next year.
Culpability will be reserved for Eberflus, who wasn’t considered a lock to return this season even after Chicago won four of its final six games last year to finish 7-10.
KEEP READING: Bears Could Be Poised for Monster Year Thanks to Easy Schedule
The Bears’ defense, now called by Eberflus, improved down the stretch, allowing more than 20 or fewer points in every game after Week 11.
The Bears probably don’t have to make the playoffs for Eberflus to stay, but he might need a winning record. If Chicago can’t manage that, Poles might have to find an offensive-minded coach to pair with Williams and Co.