The Bears are 4-2. And as they head into their bye week, one thing is certainly clear: a season, a real season, is possible.
Not that entering the bye week at .50o would have precluded the Bears from having a strong finish to this campaign and fighting for a postseason berth. It would not have, especially with the way their rookie quarterback is playing. But 4-2 puts the team on the front foot, places them squarely in the playoff conversation, and gives them a significant amount of momentum as they try and get their secondary healthy over this next fortnight.
What is important for the team right now?
- The aforementioned secondary health. The Bears finished their game Sunday without Brisker, Stevenson and Gordon on the field. That is not a path to sustainable success, especially with the passing attacks of Washington, Arizona and Green Bay peppering the next month.
- Sort the offensive line. Is this offensive line going to be a top unit in 2024? No. That’s obvious. But the Bears need to decide on their best five, which will hopefully involve a returning Ryan Bates, and start to develop serious chemistry within that unit.
- Continue offensive momentum. The quarterback is playing brilliantly. The running game is coming around. The pass catchers are all getting involved. Shane Waldron’s offense has been humming as of late and continued progress should be expected as the team uses this bye week to correct mistakes.
- Survey the trade market. Ryan Poles has not been shy when it comes to in-season trades and the Bears have an explicit need on the defensive edge. Are any non-contenders willing to make a deal? Does any team actually believe they are a non-contender?
The stage has been set. Now, the play’s the thing.