For a place that is called the Windy City, good fortune was not blown in the right direction for the Chicago Bears in 2024.
After finishing last in total offense and in the bottom half of the defense, the Bears had a 5-12 record and missed the postseason for the fourth consecutive season. It led to some swift changes with Ben Johnson taking over as head coach and him teaming up with Bears general manager Ryan Poles to add more talent.
There is an unsual amount of optimism in Chicago after a solid 2025 offseason. A new offensive line, complemented by young pass-catching weapons, has been added for quarterback Caleb Williams, putting the Bears in an unfamiliar position: having hope for the postseason.
How long that hope lives, though, will be the biggest question entering the 2025 season as the team still needs to match it. That's something that hasn't been done since the 2020 season so the media will continue to keep asking that one question about the hype.
Mike Florio is the latest to question if the Bears can get it done in 2025
NBC's Mike Florio shared his new ProFootballTalk NFL power rankings after minicamps ended. Florio was not shy about questioning the Bears, as he ranked them 17th with one question to ask.
"The expectations are high again. Can they live up to them?"
Johnson certainly hopes to answer "yes" to that question at the end of the season, but it all falls on Williams' shoulders to do so. During the offseason, Johnson has been working closely with his second-year quarterback to avoid retaking 68 sacks and make quicker decisions in the pocket.
The Bears have set up their roster nicely for Williams, as three new starters will be in the interior of the offensive line, and new rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III are contributing to the franchise's future. Chicago's defense appears to be in good shape with two new starters on the defensive line and a secondary that is healthy and stacked once again.
Read more: FOX Sports shares encouraging one-word description of Bears' busy offseason
Even if the team doesn't make the playoffs, the Bears have to show progress in 2025. Winning seven to nine games would be a solid season, even if fans expect them to make the playoffs. It doesn't help Chicago to be in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL, with the NFC North.
Yes, expectations are high, but improvement is more important than anything for the Bears. Fans need to see that even if things aren't perfect, the franchise is taking the necessary steps to be in the right direction for 2026 and beyond.