The Chicago Bears hit their bye week with a well-recognized feeling: a mixture of frustration over inconsistency and optimism concerning the flashes of progress that trace at higher days forward. With quarterback Caleb Williams adjusting to a brand new scheme and the staff persevering with to kind by rising pains on either side of the ball, the bye week presents a chance to take inventory of the place issues stand … and the place the staff must go subsequent.
Chicago Bears’ weaknesses to handle
1. Defending the quarterback
One of the vital urgent points thus far has been the offensive line’s lack of ability to offer Williams sufficient time to persistently function. The unit has struggled with each move safety and penalties, typically placing the rookie in lengthy down-and-distance conditions. If Chicago needs Williams to develop confidence and rhythm, stabilizing the safety up entrance have to be a prime precedence popping out of the bye.
2. Run protection woes
Whereas the secondary has held its personal, the Bears’ run protection has been far too leaky, coming into Week 5 final within the NFL at 164.5 yards surrendered per sport. Opponents are discovering constant success on the bottom, extending drives and sporting down Chicago’s entrance seven. This not solely places further strain on the protection but in addition shortens the alternatives for Williams and the offense. Shoring up hole self-discipline and tackling fundamentals might be vital within the weeks forward.
3. Ending drives
Too typically, promising possessions have fizzled out into subject objectives or punts as an alternative of touchdowns. Whether or not it’s red-zone inefficiency or turnovers at pricey instances, the Bears haven’t capitalized on sufficient scoring possibilities. The bye week is an opportunity to refine play designs close to the objective line and provides Williams extra high-percentage choices to show drives into factors.
Chicago Bears’ strengths to construct on
1. Caleb Williams’ playmaking capability
Regardless of the errors that include any younger quarterback, Williams has proven why he was chosen first general within the 2024 NFL Draft. His arm expertise, creativity when performs break down and talent to increase drives along with his legs are all clear strengths. The Bears could be sensible to lean additional into what he does finest with play-action, transferring pockets and quick-decision throws that play to his instincts.
2. Upgraded weapons within the passing sport
For the primary time in years, Chicago’s receiving corps appears to be like like it will possibly stack up with the remainder of the league. Veteran extensive receiver DJ Moore stays a steadying presence, tight finish Cole Kmet has the potential for dependable manufacturing in the midst of the sphere and younger receiver Rome Odunze has already flashed big-play potential. This group provides Williams a powerful basis, and the bye week presents an opportunity to refine chemistry and scheme matchups.
3. Defensive playmakers within the secondary
The Bears could battle towards the run, however their secondary has confirmed able to producing turnovers and shutting down passing lanes. Injured cornerback Jaylon Johnson could return in some unspecified time in the future within the second half of the season, which would supply a giant increase, and security Kevin Byard III has emerged as a presence, choosing off three passes in his final two video games. If the entrance seven can present extra consistency, the again finish of the protection could possibly be a difference-maker in shut video games.
Trying forward for Chicago Bears
The Bears will enter the post-bye a part of the season with as many questions as solutions, however the path ahead is evident: Defend Williams, tighten up the run protection and end drives. On the identical time, they’ve a budding franchise quarterback, upgraded playmakers and a secondary able to holding its personal. The bye week is much less about reinventing the staff and extra about doubling down on its strengths whereas lastly fixing its most obvious flaws.
