Can the Bears qualify for the 2024 postseason? This team, according to one expert, is headed in the right direction.
There are some similarities between the Detroit Lions’ current journey and the one the Chicago Bears are now on.
Three years ago, the Lions were (3-13-1) in Dan Campbell’s first season as head coach. Now, the team is in a position that the Bears aspire to: NFC North champions, second in the NFL in victories, one game away from the Super Bowl.
The Bears finished (3-14) in Matt Eberflus’ first season as head coach in 2022.
After winning eight of their final 10 games, Campbell’s Lions improved by six victories to conclude their second season (9-8).
Eberflus’ squad began 2023 with a 0–4 record, but they won seven of their next thirteen games to finish 7–10.
And in the third year, Campbell’s squad is playing for the NFC Championship.
In the third year, what does ‘Flus have ahead of him?
Analyst Michael Irvin selected the Bears as the team most likely to achieve a Lions-like leap in 2024 during a recent appearance on the NFL Network.
I should let some of you know ahead of time that he believes the Bears will select USC quarterback Caleb Williams first overall. But even if the Bears choose to select Fields instead of Williams in the draft, they still have a much-better roster, lots of salary cap flexibility, and a strong draft position that might have this team prepared for success.