Five Bears Not Named Caleb Williams Who Will Determine Playoff Fate in 2024 originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
Caleb Williams and the Bears will enter the 2024 season with playoff expectations after an offseason full of franchise-changing moves.
Williams is aware of the weight of these expectations, and the #1 overall choice is to choose to embrace the pressure rather than pretend it doesn’t exist.
“What’s the point in ducking?” Williams said in his introductory press conference. “This one. There’s no reason to get down. I am here. [Rome Odunze’s] here. Keenan Allen, the top five defenders we had last year, special teams, all the new roles – whatever. He was here. I’m excited. I know everyone is excited. Bears fans are excited about what I’ve heard and seen, and there’s no reason to get down. Attack him head first and go get him.”
Williams has absorbed all the oxygen surrounding the Bears since he arrived at Halas Hall.
He will be the 1A and 1B story this season for the rapidly improving Bears. But the Bears’ NFC North and playoff hopes won’t rest directly on your super talented right arm.
Here are five important Bears besides Williams who will be vital to playoff hopes this fall.
Let’s start with the most obvious choice.
Coach Matt Eberflus has talked for three years about the three techniques being the engine of his defense, and the Bears drafted Dexter in the second round last year to become that game-wrecking engine.
Dexter got off to a slow start last season, but started to find something during the second half of the season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Dexter has recorded four sacks and 18 pressures in the Bears’ last seven games. He recorded just 11 pressures in the first 10 games and recorded no sacks.
The Bears did little to address the needs of their defensive line in the offseason. They watched defensive tackle Justin Jones leave for the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent and have so far settled for fourth-round pick Austin Booker and free agent signee Jacob Martin being the only cap additions.
With Jones gone, the Bears plan to rely on Dexter to fill the starting three-technique spot and will need him to generate constant disruptions on the interior to make life a little easier for Montez Sweat on the edge.
Dexter came into the offseason program in great shape, and the Bears see a young defender ready to take the next step.
“I will tell you the biggest thing is how assertive he is,” defensive coordinator Eric Washington said of Dexter. “You can tell there’s a growing confidence. He’s assertive. He believes he belongs in the lineup and he believes he can be an important factor.”
The Bears need Dexter to elevate their game and be a force inside. If he fails in Year 2, the defensive line could be a weak point that will cause them to fall short of their goals.
The Bears could have tried to improve at left tackle this offseason, but opted to stick with Jones as Williams’ blindside protector.
After an expectedly difficult rookie season, Jones made a notable leap in Year 2.
In 421 pass blocks last season, Jones allowed just two sacks and 32 pressures, per PFF. Those numbers are down from the seven sacks and 40 pressures he allowed in 2022.
However, those 32 pressures rank 40th among all tackles with at least 420 pass-blocking snaps. Jones was tied for ninth in sacks allowed. He ranked 52nd in pass blocking efficiency at 95.8, per PFF.
The Bears need Jones to take another big step forward in Year 3. If Jones stagnates or regresses, Williams will be under attack and his playoff hopes could be dashed.
Washington said he believes the Bears have the best back seven in the NFL.
For that statement to be true, Stevenson needs to make the expected leap into year two.
The 2023 second-round pick struggled last season. According to PFF, Stevenson gave up the most touchdowns, second-most receptions and third-most receiving yards last season.
Stevenson played better down the stretch, but gave up 109 yards in the season finale against the Green Bay Packers when Jaylon Johnson was sidelined with an injury.
After the loss in Green Bay, defensive end DeMarcus Walker begged the Bears to “pay Jaylon Johnson.” The Bears listened and were left in the stars’ corner with a four-year extension worth $76 million.
Opponents avoid shooting Johnson as much as possible. Last season, Johnson was targeted 50 times, while opponents targeted Steveson 110 times.
If the Bears’ defense wants to become elite, Stevenson needs to make the leap it needs in his second season. If he’s a weak link again, the defense will have a clear ceiling — one that could keep the Bears from reaching the postseason.
The Bears have some question marks on the interior of their offensive line, with right guard Nate Davis only sparingly participating in the offseason program and Teven Jenkins’ future beyond 2024 uncertain.
Eberflus said he expects Davis to be the starter at right guard this season, but it will be competition in training camp.
“I really don’t know. We’ll see. We’ll see how it goes,” Eberflus said of the situation at right guard. “I’m just thinking about a lot of multiple combinations. I don’t really know exactly. Of course, we had Bates there. He played there. [Coleman] Shelton played center, of course. Davis played there. [Teven Jenkins] was on the other side. [Matt Pryor] went in and out. The versatility certainly came in handy. Ryan did a great job of putting those pieces in there, so we didn’t like last year or the years before, you know, a guy falls down and we’re like, ‘Oh, what are we going to do?’ At least we have that flexibility at the O-line position.”
Jenkins will be the starting left guard, but has struggled to stay healthy. He played in just 12 games last season after starting and finishing just 11 games in 2022.
The Bears acquired Bates this offseason, hoping he would be their starting center this fall. However, general manager Ryan Poles also signed center Coleman Shelton to give Eberflus and offensive line coach Chris Morgan flexibility on the interior.
Bates can play both center and guard. His versatility will be key this season, especially if Davis or Jenkins miss time.
During the 2022 season, Bates’ last as a starter, he gave up just 28 pressures and one sack in 615 pass blocks between right guard and center.
The Bears have had 18 different offensive line combinations over the past two seasons. The hope is that there will be more continuity in front of Williams this season, with Bates occupying center between a healthy Jenkins and Davis.
But if the Bears’ offensive line is once again hit by injuries, Bates will become even more valuable as a reliable starting-caliber guard who can help solidify the pass protection in front of Williams.
Swift was the most underrated move the Bears made this offseason.
After a running back by committee approach last season, the Bears signed Swift to a three-year, $24 million contract this offseason.
Swift is a do-it-all defensive back who is fresh off a 1,000-yard season with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears will rely on Swift in the running game this season, but it is his ability as a receiver and pass protector that will allow the Bears offense to be more lethal.
During OTAs and mandatory minicamp, the Bears used Swift a lot in the passing game. Williams found him on arrow routes, spinning screens and flat routes early and often.
Swift’s versatility should allow the Bears to keep defenses at a disadvantage. He’s also expected to face a lot of light boxes this season, with the Bears operating with three sets of wide receivers quite often.
All of this should make life easier for Williams, especially early on as he looks to establish himself in the NFL.
The Bears’ passing attack has grabbed all the headlines this offseason, but Williams and company will need a competent ground attack led by the versatile Swift to reach their ceiling this fall.
