Chicago Bears make incredible jump in ESPN's Post 2024 NFL Draft power rankings
The 2024 NFL Schedule is set to be released on Wednesday, and the Chicago Bears are expected to be heavily featured after the selection of Caleb Williams as the first overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Bears drew rave reviews for not only their selection of Williams but also the addition of wide receiver Rome Odunze with the ninth overall selection in the draft. The arrival of Williams and Odunze comes after a free agency period where the Bears added Pro Bowlers in Keenan Allen and D'Andre Swift and a playmaking tight end in Gerald Everett.
The heavy lifting of the Bears' offseason appears to be complete and the expectation for the 2024 season is that the Bears will make the playoffs. The rise in relevancy for the Bears was on display in ESPN's latest NFL Power Rankings following the draft.
After ESPN listed the Bears at No. 21 in their NFL Power Rankings after Free Agency, they now have the Monsters of Midway at No. 16.
Of course, the biggest reason for the jump, the expected improvement at the quarterback position.
"Justin Fields reached a career-high 2,562 passing yards in his third season in Chicago while accounting for 20 total touchdowns and nine interceptions. Those numbers were an improvement but still highlighted the inconsistencies the team has long had with its quarterback play.
- ESPN
With No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, the Bears expect those numbers to spike considerably given the upgrade of his capabilities as a passer. Williams' arm strength, accuracy, mobility and ability to hit the same target whether he's under pressure or not are qualities the Bears believe will elevate the entire offense and take a passing attack that ranked 27th (182.1 YPG) to new heights. -- Courtney Cronin"
There were two NFC North teams that ranked ahead of the Bears with the Detroit Lions placing at No. 4 and the Green Bay Packers sliding in at No. 10.
ESPN's latest NFL Power Rankings confirm Bears have closed the gap in the NFC North.
There is no question that the Bears have reached the same level as the Packers. For as great as Jordan Love was in his first season as the Packers' starting quarterback, the Bears are better at the wide receiver position and on defense. The difference will be if Williams finds success in the NFL right away. If so, the Bears are undoubtedly going to jump ahead of the Packers this season.
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