Bears 2024 predictions: Will Chicago have a winning record?

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of the 2024 NFL season against the Tennessee Titans, which kicks off a new era under rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.

Coming off a 7-9 season in 2023, there's plenty of hope and optimism surrounding the Bears in 2024. That was a lot to do with the additions of Williams and fellow rookie Rome Odunze, as well as receiver Keenan Allen, running back D'Andre Swift and new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. On defense, they return most of their starters from a season ago, including Pro Bowlers Jaylon Johnson and Montez Sweat, along with a slew of young talent on the roster.

Can the Bears go from worst to first in the NFC North? Perhaps. But can they surprise everyone with a playoff appearance (and their first winning record under Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus) after winning three games just two seasons ago? They certainly have a chance. Our Bears Wire staff shares their predictions for Chicago’s 2024 season.

Alyssa Barbieri

The Bears have improved their win total in each of their two seasons under general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus, and I’m expecting a similar result in Year 3. That starts with some of the big additions this offseason, including quarterback Caleb Williams, receivers Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, running back D’Andre Swift, safety Kevin Byard, tight end Gerald Everett and new coordinators Shane Waldron and Eric Washington. The offense has been overhauled and has no shortage of playmakers that should elevate the passing game and maximize Williams’ potential even as a rookie.

Even before the new additions, this was a talent-filled roster that was poised to build off their strong finish to the 2023 season. They had a defense that tied for the most takeaways in the NFL and was one of the better units after the addition of Montez Sweat at the trade deadline. Chicago has one of the best starting linebacker duos in Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, who have a year under their belt together, as well as potentially one of the best secondaries in the league, led by All-Pro Jaylon Johnson and a young crop of cornerbacks. Safety Jaquan Brisker said this defense expects to be a top-five group in 2024, and they definitely have the talent to achieve that.

There’s no doubt that the first half of Chicago’s schedule is more favorable than the back half, where they’ll face five teams with losing records last season in the first 10 games. It’ll be beneficial for Williams as he acclimates to the NFL. But the final eight weeks of the season will test this Bears team, where they’ll play six divisional games in that stretch. But they certainly have the talent to contend for a playoff spot, and I expect them to. When looking at this current roster, there's no reason to believe this team can't continue the upward trajectory and add to their win total -- perhaps even earning the first winning season under Poles and Eberflus.

Record prediction: 10-7

Brendan Sugrue

It’s always interesting to make these schedule predictions for the Chicago Bears right before the season starts and to not only look back on the record but also how the team got there in the first place. Take last year’s 7-10 record, for example. Most fans probably would have been okay with that mark on paper, but considering the disastrous 0-4 start, the blown leads, and the injuries, it felt much more dire during the thick of the season.

This year could and should have some hot stretches and cold spells that will have everyone freaking out about coaching changes. But not early on. I see this Bears team getting off to a hot start, building off their preseason success. Hey, it worked in 2022 when they went 2-1 following a perfect exhibition record. The Bears will shock the world by starting 4-2 heading into their bye week and entering their daunting divisional stretch with a 7-2 record thanks to their vastly improved roster that we have heard so much about this offseason.

It won’t stay that way, though. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will hit a wall at some point, and chances are it will come later in the season. A three-game losing streak in December will jeopardize the postseason hopes, but at 10-7, the Bears should have enough to sneak in. It would be yet another improved season under head coach Matt Eberflus, who continues making strides. I still cannot pick Chicago to beat Green Bay, though. That is a party to which I will happily arrive fashionably late.

No matter what transpires over these next four months, it’s going to be a heck of a ride. Buckle up and embrace every twist and turn.

Record prediction: 10-7

Lucas Hunt

Preseason is over, fantasy football drafts are underway, and a very slight chill is beginning to hang on the air outside – yeah, football is back. A stingy defense and a retooled offense gives the impression that the Bears are ready to win this year, but a facelift at key positions doesn’t disguise the weaknesses that still hinder the team. The offensive line is still a huge problem, the offense has several new faces that will have to get comfortable both playing together and in offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s scheme and, most importantly, Chicago has a rookie QB under center. Much of the team’s success hinges on rookie signal caller Caleb William’s immediate effectiveness.

The franchise finds itself at an exciting, yet slightly frustrating juncture: they’re good, but maybe not great. That label could lead to a wide range of conclusions for this season, should it prove true. The team’s clear weaknesses could restrain them to another sub .500 year, or Williams can hit the ground running and never look back, planting the Bears firmly in the playoffs, possibly competing for the NFC North title.

Personally, I’ll have to temper my expectations for what the Bears can do in their first year with their new franchise QB and conclude that they’ll finish with a 9-8 record – good, but not great. They’ll put together some impressive wins, finally steal a victory from the Packers, but lose a couple winnable games because they just aren’t a top-tier team yet. I can only cross my fingers and hope that 9-8 will be good enough to slip into the final NFC Wild Card playoff spot but, more than likely, the fans will lament just missing out on the postseason, but come away from the year feeling more optimistic than they had in a long while.

Record prediction: 9-8

Mike Pendleton

The Bears have vastly improved their offense, headlined by the arrival of Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, and their schedule could be in their favor. There doesn’t appear to be too many tough challenges to begin the year, except for the Week 2 Sunday Night primetime game against the Houston Texans. With three out of conference games to begin the year, it will be important to get any issues cleared up early on for the team.

The second half of the season comes with much more expectations, all six divisional games will come from Week 11 on, meaning the end of the year will be the most critical. Not only the divisional games but also a key matchup against the Super Bowl runner-up 49ers, the Bears will be tested often late in the year.

If they can get out in front of their schedule and reel off a winning streak, the Bears have an opportunity to find themselves fighting for a playoff spot. The divisional games will be crucial at the end of the year, and if they can go .500 or better, the team can find success in 2024.

Record prediction: 10-7

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears 2024 predictions: Will Chicago have a winning record?