2024 came as a massive disappointment for the Chicago Bears as they finished 5-12, and swift changes were made to the franchise.
The changes made include Ben Johnson as the new head coach, the offensive line receiving a new look, and a focus on bringing in young talent through the NFL Draft. Their reason? To build a winning roster around their quarterback Caleb Williams.
It's been the most talent about strategy in the offseason. For Chicago, that plan has to come through this season as the excuses for poor performance is out the window in 2025.
Sports Illustrated shares what is at stake for Williams and the Bears in 2025
Sports Illustrated writer Matt Verderame wrote an article on a preview of training camp for the Bears. One part in the article was discussing what is at stake for Chicago entering the new season. It's all about Williams and the roster coming through on the promise of a better team.
"The Bears haven’t been a factor in the NFC for 15 years, but they have the pieces to be a threat should Williams become a top-tier quarterback.
Chicago has an offensive-minded coach who thrived in his coordinator role with the Lions. Now, he gets to try his hand with Williams, who will play behind a revamped interior front, including Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson at guard, and center Drew Dalman.
If the Bears can’t get the new pieces working together by the start of the season, problems loom. The NFC North is the most unforgiving division in the NFL, having won 45 games between the quartet last year, an NFL record. Chicago doesn’t have time to waste, especially with the Vikings coming to Soldier Field in Week 1 on Monday Night Football.
The bottom line? Williams and Johnson need to find chemistry quickly, while the remade line shows it can drastically improve over the group, which allowed a league-worst 68 sacks in 2024."
This offense ranked last in total offense in 2024, averaging 284.6 yards per game. They were the second-worst in passing (181.5 yards per game) and eighth-worst in rushing (102 yards per game).
Read more: Stunning 2024 stat shows that Caleb Williams might've been the problem all along
The additions of Thuney, Dalman, and Jackson helped solidify the interior of the line. While rookie additions Luther Burden and Colston Loveland will only give Williams more weapons to throw to.
Chicago has to get off to a fast start in 2025 and prove their worth. While it may not mean the loss of jobs for Johnson or Williams, it could lead to much worse things to happen in the future.