CBS Sports prediction for the Chicago Bears defies common sense

With the Chicago Bears being one of the most aggressive teams this past offseason while also taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, it's been common practice to see the Bears listed among the teams to be a surprise playoff team during the 2024 NFL season.

Well. given the downtime in the NFL calendar, the hottest of takes are being had, with multiple experts from CBS Sports believing that the Bears will be among the teams to fail this season at meeting their expectations.

Making the first case for why the Bears will fail to meet expectations is Bryan DeArdo.

"I'm leery when it comes to putting too high of expectations on a rookie starting quarterback, which is what Caleb Williams will be this season. Add in the fact that they play in one of the NFL's toughest divisions is another reason why I'm hesitant to buy too much Bears stock this season. Talk to me in 2025, after Williams has had a full season under his belt."

- CBS Sports

As leery as one may want to be when casting expectations on a rookie quarterback, the fact remains that the Bears won 7 games last season with poor quarterback play. What many seem to be forgetting is that Williams does not have to be great right away. Even if Williams is at the floor of his potential during the 2024 season, that still would be better production than the Bears have had in the past at the quarterback position.

The other case was made by Jordan Dajani.

"Caleb Williams may end up being a star, but will he hit the ground running? Chicago has a head coach fresh off the hot seat in Matt Eberflus, and a new offensive coordinator in Shane Waldron. Quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall haven't surpassed six wins in their first seasons since Andrew Luck in 2012, and the NFC North isn't exactly a cakewalk."

- CBS Sports

It seems a bit lazy to just immediately throw Williams in the same category as past quarterbacks selected first overall. It can't be forgotten that the situation Williams is entering with the Bears as a quarterback selected first overall is better than any position a rookie No. 1 quarterback has entered the league with. The Bears don't need Williams to be great in 2024 in order to win games, they just need him to not be the reason they lose games.