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yes 8-11 wins is the reasonable expectation, and no one can say they wont win more, or collapse. i dont expect them to collapse, but a lot of teams that looked good on paper didnt actually perform on the field. Like Redskin and Raiders teams of the 80s and 90s or a lot of Yankee trams over the years. That doesnt mean there is any reason to predict failure either. Just that we dont know the chemistry of this team yet at all. Lots of reasons for optimism tho! And who can say who this team will be in December if it all comes together too.

Yeah, I dont know what we will be exactly, but last years win total makes a poor predictor or even starting point, i agree. First of all, we should have had 8 wins if Eberflus hadnt given them away. secondly the roster is very different and so is the coaching staff. So I agree that there is no reason to be anchored to last years number in any way. But this is a NEW team, and we have to gel and see what we are. Gotta do it on the grass So I totally agree with you. we are 0-0 with no reason to think anything concrete yet for better or worse!

With the Bears finishing 5-12 last year makes it feel like a herculean effort to even get to a winning record at 9-8. However, turn arounds with much more wins are almost commonplace nowadays. Last year alone, 3 of the top 9 teams in the NFL all had a win differential of +6 from the previous season: WAS 4-13 > 12-5 (+8) MIN 7-10 > 14-3 (+7) LAC 5-12 > 11-6 (+6) I feel like there is less correlation from year to year than ever before. In the season prior to winning 12 games, WAS lost their last 8 games, MIN finished 1-6 with their only win a 3-0 barnburner against LVR. LAC finished 1-8 and their only win was a 6-0 win against NE. So as much as this feels like the Bears are building on a 5-win season. They really are starting over with all teams 0-0. Ben Johnson has led an offense that has been top 5 in scoring and top 4 in yards in all of the last 3 seasons. While Dennis Allen, as a DC, has coached a top 11 scoring unit in his last 3 seasons as a DC. There were 7 teams to have a top 11 offense AND top 11 defense in 2024, they all made the playoffs, the worst team (DEN) had 10 wins, and their average win total for the group was 12.4.

11-6 is fair. I think there is a big variance because there are still a lot of unknowns with how the combination of things will work. We know Ben Johnson is a great play caller, and we can see how that impacts other teams with comparable play callers (Reid, McVay, Shanahan, LaFleur, etc). A good coach who is a great play caller almost gives every team a floor of 7 to 8 wins just by default. I think the Bears basement is 7 to 8 wins. That is if nothing goes right. RB and Edge are issues, LT never gets resolved, and Caleb doesn't take the next step. I think the median is 9-11 wins, the more things go right, the more wins.

Good luck with surgery!

I have surgery on July 7th, so if I dont die , Im in for this year.

GMs, I have renewed our annual TalkBears Fantasy Football Keeper league, which is now entering its 16th season. We need at least one new GM for this upcoming season. There may be more openings if we don't get commitments in time for the draft. Once we get the confirmations, we can schedule the draft for late August and I can send out the LeagueSafe payment dues ($75 per team). The winning payouts are as follows: 1st - $440 2nd - $200 3rd - $75 4th - $35 The payment deadline is usually Week 4, so people have some time to pay the dues. However, if payment is not received by then, that GM will be removed and the best recommended roster will be played for that team the rest of the season. If you have any questions, let me know, we normally conduct the draft a few days prior to the kickoff game around 7pm Central. I will send out a weekly reminder until the last week of July or until we have 10 commitments.

These two make some good points about RB and getting rid of Sanborn.

I agree with most comments he makes in the video, its 20 minutes long

ah OK! That makes more sense!

The other guy, Cowherd does his show out of Chicago

You dont know who Colin Cowherd is? Not saying his takes are right, but hes pretty well known?

I dont think anyone disagrees with you, the past is written in stone but this year is different. The new coaches carry a load of aculades with them to this team. Its not just BJ, but Randle L, Eric B a long list of high end offensive minds. We had talent on this team last year but the chaos of Flus took any improvement away when the team quit on him. The Bears have never fired a HC in season. Bingo, its different. Paid a huge salary for the top offensive mind of the last few years. Bingo, different. \ I have 60 years of being let down, 1985, 2006, 2018 kinda. We live in a world of what have you done for me lately, but you cant ignore changes like this didnt happen. We got to see first hand the OL change to the better. weapons galore and still a potential top 5 QB. This is different, with 6 new starters and 15 new players that will contribute. What will be the complelation of all of this new has yet to be seen but a winning season is the floor.

I threw up in my mouth. Have no idea who this guy is.

Well I guess the argument would be that BJ knows what he's doing and it's a whole new coaching staff. And I also buy into that, but Im gonna agree with you, we need to see it in pads first for SURE.

Honestly, how can anyone DEFEND the Bears staff or front office when it comes to offense? The Bears haven’t been a feared or creative offense for 30 years or more. Other than a fluke year for crowding and Trestman, it’s been ugly.

Im not sure if this is what you refer to but this is a good article and video on the DA defense. We also have to remember he stunts a lot so inside out-outside in, so larger ends gives him the ability to do that. Dayo was signed because he perfectly fits what DA does, whether that proves to be a good get is yet to be seen. Sweat has stunted inside, Turner, Dexter, and Jarrett will be able to stunt outside and be effective. I think this explains why Hyppolite became a valueable pick and I's sure DA was behind that, he stunts LBers a lot. Edmunds has size and 4.54 speed. I see a lot of players already on the team make a better impact under DA. I think Billings will get less snaps under DA. Billings is one of the stongest players in the NFL, he was a power life champion in Texas but because of his mobility and speed will still be a rotation DT but less time on the field. https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/dennis-allen-chicago-bears-defensive-coordinator-ben-johnson/

Yeah, whenever you run a system that's different than the norm, you get players at a discount

The nice thing if this system works, it is easier to get those DEs than the Abdul Carters. Not saying teams dont value bigger DEs, but the more explosive quick guys usually get picked earlier. I wouldn't be shocked if they draft another LB with speed next year to eventually replace the Edwards/Edmunds in the next year or two.

no thats 100% - I did know he likes larger DEs becasue he asks them to set the edge, and that leaves LBers free

I think DA wants the DEs to set and contain the edges because the havoc will come from DTs, LBs, and DBs and the QB will try to run. We have seen Sweat do well getting to the QB and holding the edge. Dayo, might surprise and be similiar. They will get their Sacks as the QB tries to roll or run away from the inside pressure. Thats just my speculation.

cool! I feel very good about our DT rotation. A killer DE cant hurt, but if its good enough for DA, its good enough for me.

Dennis Allen said very clearly at one of his early press conferences that pass rush comes up the middle not the edges. I know Poles got the message because he ran out and signed Dayo then Grady Jarrett and then drafted a protege for Grady in Shemar Turner.