The Chicago Bears are finally on the cusp of something special. With a potent quarterback in Caleb Williams and a coach in Ben Johnson who's quickly proving himself as a rising star, the team has all the ingredients to build towards a championship.
For years, the Bears have been searching for that elusive sustained run, like the 1980s teams with Jim McMahon, or the '90s Bulls with Michael Jordan. But this season is different. With Johnson at the helm and Williams leading the charge, the Bears look like they're finally on the right track.
Johnson has done a remarkable job of developing Williams, coaxing out his best performances in just over a year together. The rookie quarterback's jaw-dropping displays, such as his comeback win against the Packers, show that he has the potential to be one of the league's elite passers. And with Johnson's coaching and guidance, it's clear that Williams is on the right path.
The question now is whether they have what it takes to take down the league's best teams. The Rams are arguably the most complete team in the NFL, but if the Bears can get past them, perhaps this is already the start of something big. And even if they don't make it to the championship round, next season will be their chance.
The key for Williams and Johnson will be to replicate their success over multiple seasons, rather than just having a one-year fluke. It's a tall order, but with two seasons left on Williams' rookie contract, the Bears have a precious window to contend.
By contrast, teams that try to go from bottom to top in one season rarely succeed. Look at the Lions, Packers, and Ravens - they all made significant strides over multiple seasons, not just one year. And while the Rams have been dominant for years, they've only recently emerged as the team to beat.
The Bears' ability to go big without breaking the bank will also be crucial. Williams is poised to take a huge step forward next season, and if he delivers on his promise of being among the league's top quarterbacks, it could change the way the franchise operates forever.
Offensively, the Bears look like they're finally starting to come together. Johnson has made some savvy moves in his first year, from revamping the offensive line to signing key players like Luther Burden and Kyle Monangai. And with Williams leading the charge, the team is looking like a legitimate contender for years to come.
But defense-wise, there's still work to be done. The Bears need to shore up their pass rush if they're going to compete with the league's best teams. A move for Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby could be just what they need to take them over the top.
Ultimately, it all depends on what the front office believes they have at this point in the season. But one thing is clear: the Bears are finally ready to swing big and aim for the stars.
For years, the Bears have been searching for that elusive sustained run, like the 1980s teams with Jim McMahon, or the '90s Bulls with Michael Jordan. But this season is different. With Johnson at the helm and Williams leading the charge, the Bears look like they're finally on the right track.
Johnson has done a remarkable job of developing Williams, coaxing out his best performances in just over a year together. The rookie quarterback's jaw-dropping displays, such as his comeback win against the Packers, show that he has the potential to be one of the league's elite passers. And with Johnson's coaching and guidance, it's clear that Williams is on the right path.
The question now is whether they have what it takes to take down the league's best teams. The Rams are arguably the most complete team in the NFL, but if the Bears can get past them, perhaps this is already the start of something big. And even if they don't make it to the championship round, next season will be their chance.
The key for Williams and Johnson will be to replicate their success over multiple seasons, rather than just having a one-year fluke. It's a tall order, but with two seasons left on Williams' rookie contract, the Bears have a precious window to contend.
By contrast, teams that try to go from bottom to top in one season rarely succeed. Look at the Lions, Packers, and Ravens - they all made significant strides over multiple seasons, not just one year. And while the Rams have been dominant for years, they've only recently emerged as the team to beat.
The Bears' ability to go big without breaking the bank will also be crucial. Williams is poised to take a huge step forward next season, and if he delivers on his promise of being among the league's top quarterbacks, it could change the way the franchise operates forever.
Offensively, the Bears look like they're finally starting to come together. Johnson has made some savvy moves in his first year, from revamping the offensive line to signing key players like Luther Burden and Kyle Monangai. And with Williams leading the charge, the team is looking like a legitimate contender for years to come.
But defense-wise, there's still work to be done. The Bears need to shore up their pass rush if they're going to compete with the league's best teams. A move for Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby could be just what they need to take them over the top.
Ultimately, it all depends on what the front office believes they have at this point in the season. But one thing is clear: the Bears are finally ready to swing big and aim for the stars.