Which of these Chicago Bears 2022 midseason superlatives are accurate?

The Chicago Bears currently sport a measly record of 3-5, but there are many reasons to be optimistic about where the team is headed. The defense features a healthy combination of wily veterans and upstart rookies, and they have played at a high level for most of the season. The offense has also caught fire in recent weeks under the leadership of Justin Fields, who is looking more and more like ‘the guy’  with each passing contest.

The Bears may be in the midst of a rebuild, but they have proven to be a tough out in every game. It is not hyperbole to say they were three late-game fumbles away from being 6-2. They have played lights out in the second half, and the culture that the new regime is attempting to instill certainly looks like a perfect fit for their personnel.

For comparison’s sake, the Packers also sit at 3-5, but the aura around their team is much different than Chicago’s. For the first time in a long time, the Chicago Bears appear to be finding their groove while Green Bay is careening down a dark path at an alarming (and exciting) rate.

In a cruel twist of fate, the team that no one expected to compete this season also outbid (because Pittsburgh is more confident in their second-round draft position) the team that everyone had high hopes for pass-catcher Chase Claypool. The move could prove to be a costly oversight for the Steelers’ front office if Claypool can provide an immediate impact and the teams continue on the paths they have been.

While the season is still young, several judgments can be made from the first half of the schedule. Some players have drastically outperformed expectations, while others have fallen flat. If the season ended today, who would receive recognition for their play (both good and bad)?