(Audacy) The Bears’ moves this offseason suggest that general manager Ryan Poles believes he has the framework of a contender in place.
Chicago showed promise in 2023 and has responded by going pedal to the metal this offseason. The Bears have added six-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen, running back D’Andre Sweat and safety Kevin Byard, among others. They also own the Nos. 1 and 9 overall picks in the NFL Draft, where they're widely expected to take USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the top selection – especially after trading quarterback Justin Fields to the Steelers over the weekend.
Chicago's defense was already solid last season, and now the Bears boast a more impressive collection of skill players on offense. The NFC North has seen improvement with the rise of the Packers and Lions, but you can dream up a scenario in which the Bears are competitive in the division as soon at this season.
With that in mind, Score morning host David Haugh laid out why the playoffs should now be the expectation for the Bears during his show Monday.
“Well, it’s trending in the right direction,” Haugh said. “I feel like even though there is a lot of consternation and emotion tied up into the Justin Fields trade, when you look at this objectively – and it’s difficult to remove emotion from the equation, I get that, fans don't have to – the Bears are making progress, and they’re heading in the right direction.
“They’ve done a lot of things on defense to secure their secondary, and certainly with Montez Sweat, they got him on a long-term extension. They’re very good, solid defensively. The Byard signing was a smart one. Offensively, they make the trade for Keenan Allen, they supplement their offensive line, they got another weapon in D’Andre Sweat. And now they’re about to embark on a new, young franchise quarterback.
“They’re taking big swings. That’s all you can ask. Look, Caleb Williams could be a bust, he could be a bust. He could be a guy who isn’t worth all of the hype and all of the things that we’re saying about him now. But the Bears are excited and they should be, because they’ve got to take this chance. They’ve got to take this risk, it could be worth the reward. Boy, this is the right direction to go.
“So, expectations next year, alright, flirt with a playoff spot. I would think that you should aspire to make the postseason in Year 1 of the Caleb Williams era if he is indeed the quarterback. C.J. Stroud got the Texans to the playoffs in similar circumstances. This is the opening of a three-year window. You want to get to the Super Bowl, it’s all about a championship, it’s gotta be. That’s driving this offseason, it’s got to drive every decision you make, and so playoffs next year, Super Bowl in three years, and those are the new expectations.”