Every year, you see the NFL completely flip, and some team will go from last place in their division to first place.
Considering the Chicago Bears finished in last place last year, they are one of the eight candidates. Of the eight division losers, USA Today says that the Bears are the third most likely to win their division. The rankings are below:
- 49ers
- Titans
- Bears
- Patriots
- Saints
- Raiders
- Giants
- Browns
Breaking down Bears' ranking against the rest of the NFL
There does seem to be a tier break where one of the top four is much more likely than the bottom four; however, you sort them out. The 49ers had a long list of injuries and could obviously make a run; they are the clear answer here.
From two through four, the question is more about which quarterback do you see becoming a star first? The Titans get the benefit of the doubt because their division is viewed as worse, but this is a bet on Cam Ward breaking out as a rookie. Then, it is the number one pick by the Bears and the number three pick by the Patriots in the 2024 draft.
Drake Maye has to deal with the Bills, while Caleb Williams has three other teams that can make a legitimate run at the NFC North. If you believe in either of these quarterbacks more than Ward, it would be easy to rank them as two, but the writer sees Ward as someone likely to hit.
The New Orleans Saints will be starting a rookie, and their division is not tough, so you never know what will happen, but there is a difference in optimism around that team and teams like the Patriots and Bears.
Read more: Three Bears players no one is talking about going into training camp
The Raiders have a new coach and quarterback, but their division features a list of elite coaches and quarterbacks. The Giants may be slept on a bit, but they have the defending Super Bowl champions, and if Jayden Daniels takes a step in the way Williams and Maye do, this ranking may be right.
Meanwhile, Bears fans can all agree with the Browns being eight.