Heading into the 2024 season the Bears had incredibly high expectations with rookie QB Caleb Williams. Although the team looked strong from time to time, the season was ultimately a disappointment with head coach Matt Eberflus being terminated in the midst of a 5-12 season. The offense stagnating was perhaps the biggest reason for the failed season as on the defensive side of things the team produced at around a top 10 level with consistency. While on offense Chicago ranked near the bottom of the league in all the key indicators of offensive performance. As a rookie quarterback combined with a defensive minded head coach who was fired midseason along with an offensive coordinator who was fired midseason, not to mention questionable offensive personnel in totality, was a recipe for disaster. The Bears’ 2024 key offensive metrics over the course of the 2024 season can be found below.
2024 Bears Major Offensive Metrics
28th in points per game
32nd in yards per game
27th in overall offense grade according to Pro Football Focus
As you can see from the above the Bears really struggled offensively this past season, ranking bottom six in the NFL in all three of the major categories listed above. Caleb Williams being a rookie along with the offensive coaching staff leaving much to be desired contributed to this. As a defensive minded head coach who was terminated midseason and replaced by an interim defensive minded head coach, to go along with an offensive coordinator who was fired midseason as well, is as undesirable of an offensive coaching situation a team could ask for. That combined with Williams being a rookie at QB were the primary contributing factors to the Bears really struggling offensively this past season. Outside of the offensive coaching and the QB spot, the personnel the Bears had on offense this past season also was a contributing factor to their lack of success on offense. I have conducted a full analysis of the Bears’ personnel on the offensive side of the ball during the 2024 season and also headed into next season as well. Beginning below with the offensive line of the team in the 2024 season. In this analysis I have included the offense grade that the player was assigned by Pro Football Focus over the course of the 2024 season. In addition to it I have included my own subjective grade of the player that indicates how strong I feel they are in totality outside of just the 2024 season.
2024 Bears Offensive Line Personnel
Starters
LT – Braxton Jones – (20/87) offense grade in 2024 over 719 snaps, B to B+
LG – Teven Jenkins – (15/83) offense grade in 2024 over 738 snaps, B+ to A-
C – Coleman Shelton – (16/43) offense grade in 2024 over 1121 snaps, B to B+
RG – Matt Pryor – (22/83) offense grade in 2024 over 1005 snaps, B to B+
RT – Darnell Wright – (16/87) offense grade in 2024 over 1021 snaps, B to B+
Reserves
G – Jake Curhan – (123/135) offense grade in 2024 over 260 snaps, D+ to C-
G – Nate Davis – (70/83) offense grade in 2024 over 142 snaps, B
G – Ryan Bates – (53/83) offense grade in 2024 over 105 snaps, C to C+
G – Doug Kramer – (83/83) offense grade in 2024 over 85 snaps, D-
G – Bill Murray – (5/83) offense grade in 2024 over 42 snaps, A, only career snaps
C – Chris Glaser – only 1 snap in 2024, D-
T – Larry Borom – (73/87) offense grade in 2024 over 329 snaps, C
T – Kiran Amegadjie – (86/87) offense grade in 2024 over 126 snaps, D- so far as ’24 3rd rd
2024 Bears Key Offensive Line Metrics
9th in pass blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
16th in run blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
21st in pass blocking efficiency according to Pro Football Focus
32nd in sacks allowed
As you can see from the above the Bears actually had a pretty good offensive line over the course of the 2024 season. In terms of subjective grades according to Pro Football Focus, the Bears were an above average offensive line. The poor ranking in the last two metrics, which are the objective pass protection metrics, can be attributed to rookie QB Caleb Williams holding on to the ball too long. Pro Football Focus graded the Bears as a top 10 pass blocking team but Chicago ranked below average to well below average in both the final objective pass protection metrics. Which again when you consider the strong personnel that the Bears had up front and the top 10 ranking in terms of pass blocking grade, the subpar ranking in those two metrics can certainly be attributed to Williams holding on to the ball too long as a rookie. Headed into next season, the Bears have revamped their offensive line on the interior with new head coach Ben Johnson. The Bears project to have a very strong offensive line next season and their offensive line personnel headed into next season can be found below.
Projected 2025 Bears Offensive Line
Starters
LT – Braxton Jones – B to B+
LG – Joe Thuney – A-
C – Drew Dalman – A to A-
RG – Jonah Jackson – B to B+
RT – Darnell Wright – B+
Reserves
T – Kiran Amegadjie – D so far as 2024 third rounder
G – Ryan Bates – C to C+
G – Doug Kramer Jr – D-
G – Bill Murray – A in very limited snaps
T – Ozzy Trapilo – 2025 second rounder
T – Theo Benedet – UDFA 2024, 0 career snaps
G/C – Chris Glaser – D-
G – Luke Newman – 2025 sixth rounder
G – Jordan McFadden – C
T – Joshua Miles – C
G/C – Ricky Stromberg – D- in very limited snaps as 2023 third rounder
Headed into next season, although the Bears had an above average offensive line last season, Chicago has placed an emphasis on upgrading it even further. Every starter on the Bears’ offensive line this past season I evaluated to be in the B to B+ range or higher. However, I did not evaluate any starters on the Bears’ offensive line during the 2024 season to be in the A range. That being the case certainly was a contributing factor to their offensive line in 2024 being good but not great. New head coach Ben Johnson in an attempt to take the offensive line from good to great territory has revamped the interior of it this offseason. Jonah Jackson from the Rams replaces Matt Pryor at the starting right guard spot from the previous season. Both those players are comparable as I evaluated both to be B to B+ caliber players. The two major additions on the offensive front this offseason are Joe Thuney from the Chiefs and Drew Dalman from the Falcons. Thuney is amongst the premier starting guards in the sport while Dalman is amongst the premier centers in the sport. Both those players I evaluated to be in the A range which will be an upgrade over what the Bears had in those positions last season. The Bears had an above average offensive line last season but nothing more. With new head coach Ben Johnson and some key additions on the offensive front along with a new offensive line coach. The Bears certainly have what it takes to take the leap from a good to a great offensive line next season. As on paper I struggle to find any team in the NFL with definitively more talent on their offensive front than Chicago has headed into next season. As the Bears’ starting five linemen is comprised of three B+ caliber players and two A caliber players. While the Bears also have multiple offensive linemen capable of giving the team strong production off the bench as well. I have conducted a similar analysis of the Bears’ skill position players from 2024 and also headed into next season below.
2024 Bears Skill Position Players
Wide Receivers
WR – DJ Moore – (37/110) offense grade in 2024 over 1064 snaps, B+
WR – Rome Odunze – (76/110) offense grade in 2024 over 952 snaps, C so far as ’24 1st rd
WR – Keenan Allen – (73/110) offense grade in 2024 over 848 snaps, B to B-
WR – DeAndre Carter – (107/110) offense grade in 2024 over 137 snaps, C-
WR – Collin Johnson – only 1 reception in 2024, C to C+
WR – Tyler Scott – (105/110) offense grade in 2024 over 20 snaps, D+
Tight Ends
TE – Cole Kmet – (33/45) offense grade in 2024 over 993 snaps, C+ to B-
TE – Gerald Everett – (45/45) offense grade in 2024 over 247 snaps, C+
TE – Marcedes Lewis – (45/45) offense grade in 2024 over 221 snaps, C+
Running Backs
HB – D’Andre Swift – (49/58) offense grade in 2024 over 751 snaps, C+
HB – Roschon Johnson – (32/58) offense grade in 2024 over 271 snaps, C
HB – Travis Homer – (44/58) offense grade in 2024 over 75 snaps, C-
HB – Khalil Herbert – (58/58) offense grade in 2024 over 27 snaps, B
HB – Darrynton Evans – only 4 snaps in 2024, D+
HB – Velus Jones Jr – only 4 snaps in 2024, C-
As you can see from the above the Bears left much to be desired from a skill position standpoint this past season. Across the board players underperformed when compared to their typical production. As Khalil Herbert, Keenan Allen, D’Andre Swift, Cole Kmet, and Gerald Everett each had arguably their worst career years producing at a subpar rate when they are otherwise usually very productive. This subpar production from the Bears’ skill position players across the board can certainly be attributed to the offensive coaching situation which was perhaps the weakest in the NFL. The Bears’ production that they got out of their skill position players this past season was in the argument for being the weakest in the NFL. From a talent standpoint they were not too shabby however as in terms of raw talent they were at least decent. Headed into last season I likened the combination of Moore, Odunze, and Keenan Allen to be one of the premier wide out trios in the NFL. However, Odunze proved to be too young as a rookie, Allen proved to be too old playing last season at the age of 32, while Moore is very talented but is likely a high-end number two wide receiver as opposed to being a true #1 wide receiver. With the subpar offensive coaching and rookie QB play contributing to the underwhelming production of those three players and many other skill position players on the team in 2024. Headed into next season, the Bears can expect to get much stronger production out of their skill position players. The projected 2025 skill position player lineup for the Bears can be found below.
2025 Projected Bears Skill Position Players
Wide Receivers
WR – D.J Moore – B+
WR – Rome Odunze – C so far as 2024 first rounder
WR – Luther Burden III – 2025 second rounder
WR – Olamide Zaccheaus – C to C+
WR – Devin Duvernay – C-
WR – Tyler Scott – D+
WR – Samori Toure – D+ to C-
WR – Miles Boykin – C-
WR – Maurice Alexander – 1 career reception
WR – John Jackson III – UDFA 2024, 0 career receptions
WR – JP Richardson – UDFA 2025
WR – Jahdae Walker – UDFA 2025
From a wide out standpoint D.J Moore continues to lead the unit but questions are to be asked whether or not he is a true #1 wide receiver or just a high end #2 wide receiver. Rome Odunze being drafted in the top ten of the 2024 draft and still having a respectable rookie season will be in line to break out next year. The team also drafted a wide receiver in the second round of this year’s draft to complement the duo of Moore and Odunze as well in Luther Burden III. If Odunze starts to come into his own and prove he was worthy of being taken as high as he was, the combination of Moore and Odunze will be a very formidable wide receiver duo next season. If Luther Burden III plays well as a rookie, then the Bears’ first three wide outs will be very strong. However, I am bearish on the combination of Moore and Odunze being more than just a slightly above average wide out tandem. While I am also skeptical of how well Burden III will perform as a rookie. It is also concerning that outside of those three wide receivers, the Bears do not have any wide out who would strike fear in opposing defenses.
Tight Ends
TE – Cole Kmet – B to B-
TE – Colston Loveland – 2025 first rounder
TE – Durham Smythe – C
TE – Stephen Carlson – 6 career receptions
The tight end unit has some talent but also many questions marks headed into the 2025 campaign. 2020 second round pick Cole Kmet had a career worst season last year after ranking among the better tight ends in the NFL the previous two seasons. As stated previously, his down year last year can be attributed to the lackluster offensive coaching and rookie QB play. However, it remains to be seen if he can bounce back from it next season, but when he is on his mark, Kmet is one of the better overall tight ends in the NFL. Complementing Kmet in the unit is 2025 first rounder Colston Loveland out of the University of Michigan. Loveland was one of the two highest rated tight ends entering the 2025 NFL Draft but it remains to be seen how effective he will be as a rookie. If Loveland plays well in his first NFL season and Cole Kmet returns to his previous very strong form, the combination of those two will form one of the best tight end duos in the NFL.
Running Backs
HB – D’Andre Swift – C+ to B-
HB – Roschon Johnson – C
HB – Kyle Monangai – 2025 seventh rounder
HB – Travis Homer – C-
Perhaps the biggest concern for the Bears heading into the 2025 season on offense is the running back unit. As of now the Bears’ running back room projects to be amongst the weakest in the NFL. D’Andre Swift is talented but as of now is likely better suited as a #2 back as opposed to being a true number one back. The team lacks the presence of a true #1 running back and the remaining running backs behind Swift are just mediocre caliber NFL players who would not strike fear in me as an opposing defensive coordinator. The Bears’ running back unit headed into next season is the weak point of the offense if not the team as of now. Although D’Andre Swift when on his A game can be very productive out of the backfield.
The Bears’ skill position players will in all likelihood be slightly below average next season. D.J Moore is very talented at wide receiver for the team but is likely better suited as a high end #2 wide receiver instead of being a true #1 wide receiver, which is the role he currently is in for the Bears. Rome Odunze as a top 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft had a respectable rookie season but has not proven he was worthy of being selected as high as he was as of yet. Cole Kmet is typically a strong tight end who struggles with consistency including a career worst year in 2024. Whether or not he can bounce back will be a story line to watch next season. The Bears also drafted two skill position players in each of the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. But it remains to be seen how effective Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland will be as rookies. The Bears’ running back unit is amongst the weakest in the NFL as of now although D’Andre Swift can give them strong play. The Bears because of their youth in the skill positions as well as the relatively weak running back room will likely get just average caliber skill position production next season.
In totality the Bears on the offensive side of the ball will be very fun to watch next season led by #1 overall pick Caleb Williams in year two and new offensive minded head coach Ben Johnson. However, Johnson being a rookie coach and Caleb Williams still being in only year two in the NFL will likely have their growing pains as a tandem in their first season together. The Bears could have an elite offensive line but will likely get average caliber skill position play. The duo of Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson being so young combined with the average caliber skill players will likely stagnate the Bears offensively next season. Not to mention the Bears having a rookie offensive coordinator heading into 2025 who has not yet even turned 30 years old. However, the raw talent of Caleb Williams, the pure offensive smarts of Ben Johnson, along with potentially an elite offensive line, with still solid skill position players, could see the Bears score a lot of points next season. However, Chicago is likely a year away from reaching their potential offensively and being an elite offensive team. Although in the 2025 season they could be a very good bordering on a great offense if Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson are the real deal.
