Chicago Bears: Expectations Outpacing Rebuild Schedule

Sometimes the euphoria of a new season can crowd reality. The Chicago Bears are a better team than they were in 2015, but they aren’t a good one yet.

Good teams having solid, proven starting talent and decent depth at most positions. Can anybody honestly say the Bears meet those requirements at this juncture? They certainly have a number of able veterans like Kyle Long, Jay Cutler, Alshon Jeffery, Danny Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman and Willie Young. On top of that they have a host of young players with significant upside like Jeremy Langford, Kevin White, Leonard Floyd, Eddie Goldman, Cody Whitehair, and Jonathan Bullard.

That being said this is still a team that went 6-10 in their previous year. Just having new faces on the roster can’t change that. Winning games more often between September and December in 2016 is the only solution. Already some are predicting it’s playoffs or bust. While the confidence and belief in the team is nothing to frown upon, it also places unrealistic expectations on a group still finding its identity.

Don’t forget just two years ago the Bears were the oldest team in the league. Now they’re one of the youngest. Certainly with youth comes more speed and athleticism, but also a higher degree of mistakes. Not to mention depth concerns. Having a strong coaching staff can cover up some of it, but almost never all of it. What Ryan Pace and John Fox have done is plow up the dirt and planted a new seed. It’s going to take hard work, careful cultivation but above all time in order for it to sprout into what they want it to become.

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Historically speaking it takes an organization three years on average to completely remake an NFL roster. That allots the necessary time for drafting and signing new players and giving them a chance to mature and grow together within a given system. That’s what the Packers did. It’s what the Vikings did. Now it’s time for the Chicago Bears to do the same.

Of course there’s a chance this team gets to double digit wins and a playoff spot. Things happen. A injured player here and a fortunate call there can mean the difference. Still, what this season must first and foremost be about for them is progress. They must at least improve upon their record from last season, hopefully boasting better offense, defense and special teams along the way.

With progress comes belief and with belief comes confidence. Once talent and confidence reach high points, that’s when a team starts thinking championship. Chicago is taking steps in the right direction, but it’s important not to forget they haven’t stopped being a work-in-progress.

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