In a bit of a surprise, a recent Sports Illustrated article analyzed every team and deemed them winners or losers. While most would see the Chicago Bears as winners, this piece listed them as losers.
The article seems to harp on three major ideas for why they are losers in the offseason. Two of them you really have to squint to see.
Chicago Bears fans are not going to like their offseason review
First, they are losers because Caleb Williams brought drama-inducing headlines thanks to his dad's comment. The article also notes that they are simply losers due to their poor handling of the quarterback position over the years.
A brief note about how the team was deemed winners last year but still struggled highlights the idea that this is less about the moves they made and more about who they are as a franchise.
"Caleb Williams and his dad were well aware of the team’s poor track record before the NFL draft—and allowed their comments last year to be used to promote a book this year."
Bears head coach Ben Johnson was also listed as a loser, which would surprise many, but the reason is not what some would have expected. The move is a losing move because he took a jab at Matt LeFleur. The decision was interesting for sure, but if Johnson becomes a good coach, very few will remember this minor line that seems to have the author hung up.
The legitimate criticism comes in how the Bears built the offensive line. Jonah Jackson was benched, the Falcons did not exactly fight to retain their center, Drew Dahlman, and Ozzy Trapilo may be starting as a rookie. That much is certainly fair.
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However, Williams was not added this year, and while Johnson was, it is so hard to frame the addition as a losing move, even with his minor shot at LeFleur. The offensive line is fair, and no one in Chicago will argue that they have been tricked before.
Still, if you want to call it like you see it, it is hard to spin this as a losing offseason. It takes reaching for drama and media-related aspects to make the case.