Taking Caleb Williams first overall was definitely a step in the right direction, and with several offensive weapons surrounding him, it could be the best Bears’ offense in recent memory. The offense was reliant on the running game in 2023, rushing for 141 yards per game, good for second in the NFL. Their passing game was nowhere near as productive, ranking 27th in the NFL in passing yards.
Quarterbacks
So, what is different in 2024? Well for starters, a new quarterback. Caleb Williams was the consensus number one overall pick in 2024, and it seemed to be a foregone conclusion for some time. He has been controversial at times and has not taken his team deep into the postseason, missing it entirely in 2023. The talent is real, and opportunities will be there for him to showcase it to the league. The former USC star has a big arm, a Heisman in 2022, and the luxury of a fresh start on a team that has some real weapons.
Wide Receivers
Among these weapons are D.J. Moore, who cleared 1300 yards receiving without stable quarterback play for most of 2023. Moore was a one man show in 2023, but now he has a Pro-Bowl counterpart in Keenan Allen. The former Chargers superstar reigned in 1243 yards in 2023 and has surpassed 1000 yards receiving on 5 other occasions in his career. If these two star wideouts were not enough, the Bears used their 8th overall selection to bring in Rome Odunze from Washington. Odunze racked over 1600 yards in his senior season for the Huskies and is viewed as one of the best receivers coming out of the 2024 draft.
Tight Ends
These wide receivers will pair well with a big armed, rookie quarterback, but that is not all they have to lean on in 2024. Tight-End Cole Kmet, who has spent the last four seasons playing for Chicago, has been the pinnacle of health, playing in every single game. Kmet really took that next step last season, having a career-high 90 receptions and 719 yards. These stats are even more impressive considering the Bears’ passing struggles in 2023.
Running Backs
How about the running game that the Bears leaned on so heavily? Khalil Herbert, who led the team in carries in 2023, is now listed as 3rd on the depth chart. Roschon Johnson has slid up to be the change of pace back behind newcomer D’Andre Swift. Swift, who spent last season with Philadelphia, surpassed 1000 rushing yards in 2023, which is far and above what any of the Bears rushers managed to accomplish. Justin Fields, who is now on the Steelers, led the team in rushing yards, all from the Quarterback position, last season.
Coaches
This could be the biggest wild card that the Bears have for their 2024 offense, the addition of Offensive Coordinator, Shane Waldon. Waldon managed to turn Seattle and Geno Smith into a competent offensive unit, and turned a team that many thought would struggle, into a playoff contender. Given all of these tools on offense, Waldon many turn the Bears into a team that no one wants to face. That is not something people have said in a very long time.
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