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46 is an insane number. Assuming that was just regular season that’s 2.7 long drives per game without a running QB to rescue bad plays.

Oh i don't think anyone thinks this is just another Bears team. I think we ALL see the difference. The roster looks much better, and the coaching is an obvious and stark upgrade. I just think some of us are saying we are looking forward to seeing it in pads so we know if every piece is really up to par. For example, we have no idea who will play LT. There are lots of reasons to believe that between the three candidates we have, one will ascend. Cool. But I want to see it, and not just assume it? But that doesnt mean we are pessimistic and think its NOT going to happen. It just means we want to see it to know what we've really got. We arent predicting failure, but we also arent assuming this is a Superbowl team, having never played a single down yet is all. We just want to see. What if one of the OL is weaker than expected? Or what if Roschon Johnson lights it all on fire and becomes HB1? What if Burden holds out, or Kmet is suddenly amazing? This is the month of podcast hype, where people say things like "the roster is complete" and that's just silly. But none of that means that we are pessimistic or think the Bears will be terrible! We just want to see it on the field so we know what we have!

I view everything as improved and with a disaster that was last year, a few games could easily had a different outcome. To me we had a lot of talent last year that gave up on a coaching staff the last half of the season. This year I say they will have a winning record and I do need proof that I am wrong on my predication. Even with some lows and injuries, it still should happen.

I find it odd that Houston was tied with us for last. With our new additions to the OL and weapons, we should be in the middle on the low side of expectations. Of course the key to all of this is Caleb. I think he goes off but some doubters think he still has a lot to prove being only the 3rd best rookie QB. As the bad coaching and poor OL affected both the passing game and running game, I expect huge jump for him.

Here is more on the Ben Johnson effect, 70+ Yard TD drives, DET had 46, CHI had 17, literally 1st and last. Even if the Bears just jump to the middle of the pack, that would be almost double from last year.

Great Bagent interview, you can tell this year really is "different". I know the rinse and repeat history makes most of us into the ultimate pessimists because we have lived through "this year is different" 30+ times, but these interviews really do paint a different picture: Besides the normal stuff we have heard before, I did like that Bagent specifically pointed out that DomRob has been visible. He said he just had a baby, so he thinks it is dad strength or something because no one wants to block him.

Coaches should always point out ( be better) but instead of being excited to see him play better, its about pointing out mistakes.( not much fun). Of course you can do both but it is never my first reaction, ( he missed a WR on a TD throw) or (was holding the ball to long.) I accept joy, I'll be critical later in the week.

I have done that and formed my opinion of: Show me. If Caleb does have mistakes in a 400yd passing game, i can be happy but also don't have a problem pointing out how he could have had 450yds. I hope is coach feels the same way.

You're missing the point entirely. I am NOT saying the team will be bad! I'm saying on paper they actually look really solid, but it's all projection, and I want to see it on grass in pads. I even said maybe someone will OUT-perform our expectations and look even better than Greg Gabriel says they will LOL The comment was made in the context of making roster moves. And I think right now, except for tweaks in depth, or if a major talent becomes available at a discount price, that we will sit on the hand we have right now, and wait to see it next month in pads. THEN we will have new opinions and that would be the time to reevalute the roster if necessary. But no one is saying "yeah sure they look good on paper, but theyre going to suck in reality" I thinkt hat's what you're hearing? But no, we're just saying, "yes, looks good, let's see if it still looks the same in pads" not saying we exepct it to look bad, or good for that matter, just we will see it when it happens. It's not pessimism, it's just we've made all the theoretical moves, now let's test the theories? And you're the one saying these are known quantities? But the strawman argument youre creating of these pessimistic thoughts is not in our comments. Thats not what we are saying at all.

You have to take in what ever information you see, hear and form an opinion. Some think the arrow is pointing up and some think same old Bears. This year is not like any other year as far as positive additions go, you dont have to agree. Caleb could have a 5 TD , 400 yard day and some people will just look at his mistakes and not believe what they just saw.

Exactly - I’ve seen enough of paper champs from the Bears. I want to see badass production and significant growth on the field.

yeah or even who is going to play LT. There are LOTS of podcasts about it, but they haven't played a down in pads yet. Or how the DE rotation is looking. Or even who will be the main HB for this team. How Kmet will be. Whether Williams is improving. Etc Etc. I think just because we hear some guy on the internet who has a "show" say it, doesn't mean it's true. This is hype season, but the truth is coming in a month or two.

This is like Nagys first year. They traded for Mack and that worked in year one - it was the wrong move though - gave up too much assets out of gate and it hampered team to fill and be more aggressive in filling two years after. Hold the chips so we can see who develops, who doesn’t and where they need to pivot.

I think his point is that we cant assume pieces we think are going to be great, are actually going to be great until we see them. From our current understanding of the roster, we have holes at DE and HB. But when we see it with the pads on, some players may show us that they arent going to work out like we hoped, and some may show us that they are ready to fill the holes i just mentioned too. I think you're counting chickens before they hatch, and he's saying that we will know when we know. And I think that has to be how Poles is thinking too? or any GM? So it's not the right time to make a trade, we agree, since we don't fully even know what we have yet, for good or bad. The only exception to that is something that's a clear deal on a real stud, or minor moves monkeying with depth. So when it comes to starters, we will probably roll with what we've got and the next likely window for making changes is the cuts at end of training camp, and the one after that is the trade deadline. But that doesn't mean boxes are checked and everyone is certain that what the podcasts are saying is REAL. We need to see it in pads, under live fire, and into the season as well.

Good points, one more edge would probably put us over the top, if the rest blends well.

well said. unless someone comes loose from some really bad contract holdouts and we get an obvious DEAL, we probably won't be upgrading starter positions until we know what we currently have. But I wouldnt be surprised at all if we are active at the trade deadline. Any time you have a new coach, a lot of guys are possible trade bait. Some will grow into the new situation, and some will go. That's always what happens with new coaches. And as much as we have seemingly filled a LOT of holes in the past two years, that also means a lot is new, and isn't proven yet. For example, we all seem to be sure the OL is fixed, but until we see it on the field, who really knows. Players could be past their prime, lazy (see Davis), or just unable to gel. I'm not predicting that of course, but it is unknown. We will know more as each month passes. And that's very exciting. But I think what you've said here is probably how Poles is feeling too.

This falls into the wait and see department. If this team were to really take off and look like a legit playoff contender then I'd be ok adding someone like Thibodeux mid-season. Even though he'd make us better I wouldn't do this now because there are too many questions about roster makeup to give away future draft capital. I don't even know if Caleb is the QB of the future yet.

Greg usually makes sense when he speaks but I dont agree with this. Even though he has 2 yrs of suitable money, dont want to trade that high of a pick. Now most would say our window for making a SB run would be 26-27 and he would fit in that window. What this put us over the top for this year? Giantts have Dexter Lawence, Brian Burns they are paying big money to and Carter as their draft pick so this could be a reality of them wanting to move him.

Burden has always been known as a head case and a me first kind of guy. Hopefully BJ can get his attention and straighten him out. FWIW, a lot of good guys taken in the second round also dont want to be the first player that accepts a non guaranteed contract and breaks the chain for every player behind them.

He needed to be out there.

The first 2nd rounders that signed got guarranteed contracts. They all want that. I think Burden is using the soft tissure injury as leverage to signing a guarranteed contract. When its done , he will all of a sudden be healthy.

Burden worries me. He's already missed everything due to soft tissue injury. If he was truly jaded because he thought he should have been a first rounder, you'd think he would show up in shape. On to the second rounders. I don't understand what has changed from previous years. 30 second rounders have not signed.