Yahoo Sports NFL power rankings roundup: Where the Bears land heading into Week 1
The Chicago Bears have a lot to be excited about heading into the 2024 NFL season. They're set to host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday following one of the most exciting offseasons in recent memory. After a long wait, they might finally be relevant again.
On paper, this team looks ready to contend for the playoffs. That starts with newcomers Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen, D'Andre Swift, among others, as well as current stars Montez Sweat, Jaylon Johnson, DJ Moore and Cole Kmet.
It is going to take some winning on the field for the national audience to see how good this Bears team can be. If they flop, people will assume it’s the same old Bears who can’t win. But, at least right now, there's plenty of hope and optimism heading into this season.
Here's where the Bears stand in this week's NFL power rankings heading into Sunday's game against the Titans:
NBC Sports Pro Football Talk
Current Ranking: 13
Last Week's Ranking: N/A
Author: Mike Florio
Author's Take: "Nearly 40 years after they had a dominant defense, the offense could be preparing to explode."
Our Take: Mike Florio believes the Bears are a playoff team. He thinks that the offense is good enough to get it done. However, they need the entire team to show up big if the season is going to end in a postseason berth.
ESPN
Current Ranking: 15
Last Week's Ranking: N/A
Author: Mike Clay
Author's Take: "Chicago has set Caleb Williams up with an elite group of targets, and you shouldn't overlook what is an above-average defense on paper, led by Montez Sweat and Jaylon Johnson. The NFC North will be must-watch TV this season."
Our Take: For ESPN to think that the NFC North is going to be must-watch this season, you know things are good because they love to give shine to the most entertaining things in sports. Seeing their writers predict that they will make the playoffs sure is fun.
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 16
Last Week's Ranking: 18
Author: Eric Edholm
Author's Take: "My cautious optimism around this Bears team has as much to do with the overall health of the roster as it does with the arrival of Caleb Williams. And let me tell you, I spent a good chunk of June, July, and maybe even early August tapping the brakes on Williams, arguing that he might not levitate onto Soldier Field in Week 1 and invoke instant wizardry. Then I watched Williams play in the preseason, and ... maybe all my guff was unnecessarily cautious. We'll see. Bears brass has said it wants Williams thriving in that "point guard" role, which I would also say is a statement of support for this improved roster. Even so, to me, that thought evokes prime Derrick Rose more than it does, say, Kirk Hinrich. Tough division, but the Bears have most of what they need to make a run for the playoffs and perhaps even push the Lions for NFC North supremacy."
Our Take: It is fair to be cautiously optimistic about the Bears. They haven't been good for a long time and have failed at everything they're currently trying to do historically. However, it is nice to see people give them a raise in their power rankings as the season approaches. It is hard to ignore how good they've looked in the offseason.
Yahoo! Sports
Current Ranking: 16
Last Week's Ranking: 16
Author: Frank Schwab
Author's Take: "Caleb Williams had some awesome highlights in the preseason. Bears fans are beyond excited. There has to be a little bit of a reality check too. Sure, some rookies have unbelievable seasons. But some great QBs had a tough first year. Peyton Manning had 28 interceptions as a rookie. Williams has a great environment and is a fantastic prospect, but he could still have some rough days this season."
Our Take: We are seeing the Bears be ranked in the middle of the pack on almost all of these so far. People know they don't stink but they also don't know how well Caleb Williams is going to play in Year 1. That always makes things a bit shady.
USA Today
Current Ranking: 17
Last Week's Ranking: 15
Author: Nate Davis
Author's Take: "A team on the come in the latter part of last season courtesy of its ascending defense, the offensive reinforcements – obviously led by rookie QB Caleb Williams – could very well mean the franchise's first postseason win in 14 years."
Our Take: USA Today has them dropping two spots from their previous ranking. There is nothing that happened at the end of the preseason or camp to suggest that they got worse. If anything, it is a time to be even more optimistic.
CBS Sports
Current Ranking: 17
Last Week's Ranking: 17
Author: Pete Prisco
Author's Take: N/A
Our Take: The Bears are good enough to be in the top half of the league this season. However, recent years have made it hard for some people to fully buy in before the season begins. It makes sense.
Sports Illustrated
Current Ranking: 18
Last Week's Ranking: N/A
Author: Conor Orr
Author's Take: "I don’t know if calling the Bears a surprise playoff team is all that interesting a take. We should be saying this. They took the time to build out their roster and Caleb Williams—surprise—looks like a total superstar. Of course, we’ll need to see Williams operate the same way in the regular season. I don’t see there being much of a learning curve, but I also said that about impressive rookie preseasons from Bryce Young and Trevor Lawrence as well. Matt Eberflus has handled the rigors of a very difficult job and survived to this point because he is a brilliant defensive mind. Now, it’s time for that side of the ball to take the reins while Williams acclimates to NFL life."
Our Take: Once again, it makes sense to be scared to make such a positive proclamation about the Bears. They haven't had sustained success in a long time. However, if Matt Eberflus's great defense can carry long enough for Williams to begin his domination, the Bears will be a great football team.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: NFL power rankings roundup: Where the Bears land heading into Week 1
