From SNL
2023 is a new dawn for the Chicago Bears. Justin Fields finally has weapons. They invested in the offensive line. Their secondary looks like one of the best young cores in the league. As a Bears fan, I'm hopeful for 2023. As a Bears fan, they are also the Bears. Here are my hopes and expectations for this year's Chicago Bears.
From: Marquee Sports Network
Justin Fields. He is the lone player that could carry this team to the playoffs. JF1 needs to be the passer he was at Ohio State. Watching Fields launch balls downfield into tight windows made me fall in love with him as a player. Despite his college tape, Fields has yet to throw the ball well in the NFL. 2242 yards will not cut it as a quarterback on a contending team. The beatdown he gave Clemson in the 2021 CFP semifinal needs to come out at some point. His competitive nature leads me to believe it may happen in Week 1 against Green Bay.
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Offense
Outside of Fields, the skill positions can help the Bears' offense turn the corner. Before the trade back from the Number 1 pick, the skill positions were pitiful. With the addition of DJ Moore, we finally have a WR1. Over 800.5 yards for DJ Moore is one of the easiest bets I have seen all offseason. Mooney and Claypool can be the dynamic wide receivers they are hyped up to be now that we have an alpha. Herbert and Roschon Johnson are in the backfield. Cole Kmet just got extended. While the weapons seem nice, the offensive line needs to keep Fields upright for this team to work.
Defense
Now, let us take a look at the defense. The defensive line looks like it'll be a turnstile again. Thankfully Ryan Poles invested in linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. Hopefully they can make tackles when running backs inevitably go untouched in the first five yards of their run. The secondary is the brightest spot on the defense. Eddie Jackson, Jaquan Brisker, and Jaylon Johnson were all phenomenal last year. Kyler Gordon is looking to take a step in year 2. Tyrique Stevenson is likely going to take snaps as a rookie.
Expectations
I've lined out my thoughts about every positional group on this roster. Now I take my stab at trying to give myself hope for this year. In a division that has finally gotten rid of that QB in Green Bay, the NFC North seems to be wide open for the first time in years. A favorable schedule gives me confidence that we could be a playoff team this year. I've been drinking the Flus Juice, and I'm starting to get tipsy. Da Bears are going 10-7 and making the playoffs this year. Book it.