The Sun-Times’ experts predict the Bears’ 2024 record:
Rick Morrissey: 9-8
The Bears play in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL, and they’re going to have their hands full with the Lions, the Packers and, yes, even the Vikings. It’s asking a whole lot — maybe too much — of rookie QB Caleb Williams to stare down all those opponents.
Rick Telander: 9-8
Just when you think the Bears are ready to explode with new offensive talent, you realize other teams got better, too. Don’t forget Jordan Love in Green Bay and Jared Goff in Detroit. Going undefeated in the preseason means nothing. Worries.
Scoop Jackson: 10-7
On paper, they should be 11-6 when the season ends. But paper is for suckas, and NFL games are decided on grass and turf. So 10-7 is what the 100 yards times 17 games is telling me. The white lines don’t lie.
Patrick Finley: 9-8
Finishing with a winning record (and perhaps a playoff berth) with an ascending rookie quarterback and a roster that’s mostly under contract for 2025 would constitute long-awaited progress for the Bears. This season will be more of a springboard than an endpoint.
Jason Lieser: 11-6
Three years into a rebuild, the Bears have a playoff-caliber roster. It’s time to hold them to real standards: Beat the bad teams, hold your own in the division and be a postseason threat.
Mark Potash: 10-7
With Williams a potential multiplier and a defense with playmakers on all three levels, the Bears have a high floor and a much higher ceiling. But they have to stay healthy.
The Bears’ defensive end opened his weekly press conference by offering “prayers and condolences to everyone impacted” by the tragedy in Winder, Georgia — 33 miles from Stone Mountain, where he attended Stephenson High School.
The Sun-Times’ experts offer their picks for Sunday’s season opener at Soldier Field.
Since the rookie was born on Nov. 18, 2001, the Bears have gone 23 games under .500 in the regular season. At his position, they’ve been even worse.