Four national media outlets that are wrong about the Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears should be ranked a little higher
It’s pretty simple. Not that it matters, but the Chicago Bears shouldn’t be ranked any worse than 25. The offense was ranked 26th in DVOA last season and a complete scheme change should keep them around that spot even with what many believe to be an inferior offensive roster. Should any of the free agents or Velus Jones hit, then the offense has potential to be even better seeing Justin Fields should be improved.
Looking at the last four years of defensive production for both the Chicago Bears and the Colts, they combined for five top-10 finishes and seven top-15 finishes. This defense Matt Eberflus inherited with the additions of Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker should easily be a top-15 unit and I honestly believe they finish in the top 10.
Chicago #Bears DEF DVOA last 4 years:
— Rob Schwarz Jr. (@ChiRuxinBGO) May 20, 2022
2021: 13
2020: 8
2019: 10
2018: 1
Colts DEF DVOA last 4 years:
2021: 8
2020: 7
2019: 19
2018: 11#DaBears current defensive roster is arguably better than the Colts the last 4 years - safe to say the defense should be in the top 10 in 2022.
This brings me to the point on why these four national media outlets are wrong to rank the Bears so low. With an offense that shouldn’t produce any worse (will be slightly better imo) than it did last season and a defensive unit that has great potential of finishing in the top 10 in DVOA, this Chicago Bears team could surprise people. By no means should it be in the bottom five spots, let alone the bottom three, in any power rankings. The schedule should also be easier this year than last year.
The good news though, these rankings mean nothing right now. They just give us something to debate about during these slow months heading into training camp and preseason. I fully expect Chicago to be outside the top five picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. I won’t go as far to think outside the top 10 though.