Expectations for the Bears are probably unrealistically high from fans right now. 2024 could not have gone any worse, as multiple coordinators were fired during the season, on top of the head coach, for the first time in franchise history. Caleb Williams showed glimpses of why he was selected first overall, but also showed patches where he needs to grow immensely.
ESPN's Courtney Cronin laid out the biggest X factor to consider when examining the 2025 Bears, and, to little surprise, it starts with the offense.
"How quickly will the Bears be able to execute Johnson's offense? Chicago went out and got the best playcaller available this offseason with the belief that some ingenuity and creativity can create one of the most explosive units in the NFL -- a characterization not historically associated with Chicago offenses. But how many games will it take for the offense to operate at a high-functioning level? The Lions started out slow during Johnson's first season calling plays in 2022, and Johnson said what he's asking of his current players is more complex than what Detroit's were tasked with early on. The key to success comes from Johnson creating opportunities for quarterback to gain confidence in executing the scheme early on, even as he's still aiming to master the details."
What record would be the ceiling and floor for the Bears in 2025?
In the same ESPN article, the team's ceiling and floor records were discussed. The Bears' ceiling was 11-6 and their floor was 6-11. These are probably accurate given everything we know thus far about the team.
A one-win improvement from last season would definitely be the worst-case scenario for this Bears team, as they have upgraded their roster across the board and brought in a highly respected coaching staff. Everyone expects a jump in year two for Caleb Williams, but those expectations should also be realistic.
Ben Johnson has been very open about the fact that this offense will take time to grasp and become a well-oiled machine. If the Bears finish 11-6, it will mean everyone caught on much quicker than was the case when Johnson took over the offense in Detroit. The schedule does them no favors, nor does the NFC North, which is full of contenders.
While all eyes are on the offense, the defense should also take a significant step forward under new coordinator Dennis Allen, who has a history of coaching well-coached defenses. It is likely that the defense looks much better than the offense early in the season and hopefully carries the weight while the offense gets up to speed.
Read more: NFL writer doesn't hold back on questions about Bears entering crucial preseason
This team should easily be in the 7-10 win range this year, barring any unforeseen circumstances.