3 reasons for Chicago Bears fans to ease expectations in 2024

The Chicago Bears had a dynamic offseason. They went undefeated in the preseason. You can sense the fans' excitement in the air. However, most Bears fans know that there is always going to be a good reason to temper expectations. What could hold this team back from the hot takes emerging from training camp?

3. The Chicago Bears offensive line is still being sorted out

The Bears have put resources into their offensive line and it gives fans reason to think that Caleb Williams can stay upright and beat teams from the pocket. However, with that comes some questions about how things will come together. 

First, they are shuffling at both center and right guard. They thought that Ryan Bates would start at center, then he moved to right guard, but injuries have him starting at neither currently. Coleman Shelton is a good backup plan, but that is not what you want to hear in week one. The team also spent time with Bates at center snapping to Caleb Williams, taking away chances that Shelton had to gain rapport with the rookie.

Fans have every reason to be concerned with Nate Davis, and it is not like Teven Jenkins has played 17 games in a season before. When you add in that the training camp and preseason that fans and media have seen from Darnell Wright is up and down and you can poke holes at every area of this offensive line. Lastly is Braxton Jones, who was a great value when he was drafted, but penalties and injuries limited his upside last season.

Heck, as things stand, their only backup tackle is a third-round rookie who took zero preseason snaps due to injury. They are too close to seeing him in real action for fans to get over their skis about what this team will do. 

2. Is the Chicago Bears pass rush legitimate?

The Chicago Bears have a load of edge rushers, but do they have a good pass rush? That will likely be the difference between whether this team is a playoff contender, or whether they are just fun, up and coming bunch. 

While we know that Montez Sweat is good and a great addition, we also know that he was playing with his hair on fire in 2023, and that is not exactly what you would expect him from overall. He had a career year and the trade, combined with a new contract seemed to energize him. Sweat went from averaging about seven sacks per season and never going over ten sacks in his career to a 12-sack season. Can he stay that hot?

Beyond him is still a load of questions. Darrell Taylor was traded on the cheap for a reason, he is coming off of a down year as well. Austin Booker is still a day-three rookie even if there is excitement. Guys like Dominique Robinson and Daniel Hardy are unlikely to play.

Along the interior, Andrew Billings is a good run defender, but he does not bring much pass-rush juice That is fine, but it puts a lot on the plate for Gervon Dexter in year two. The depth behind Dexter looks bad at this point, and while you can find reasons for optimism in his play, a lot of what he can do this year is also projection.

By the end of the season things may gel, but there are questions. 

1. The Chicago Bears are starting a rookie quarterback 

The game does not look too big for Caleb Willliams. That is the biggest, and best thing to take away from the Bears this preseason. Still, even if Williams plays an amazing rookie season, it is still a rookie season, there are still questions of how high his ceiling can get.

The Bears have a new running back, multiple new receivers and a new tight end to join a rookie quarterback and a new offensive coordinator. Do not be surprised if the top defensive coordinators get the better of Williams for a game or two. 

C.J. Stroud had an all-time great rookie season performance, but he lost on the road to the Carolina Panthers. This is going to happen at some point. Do not be discouraged by Caleb Williams's struggles that come every once in a while. They are expected to happen, but they could limit what some fans think this team's ceiling can be.