Bears Season Grades Are In: What Did They Do?
The Chicago Bears finished their 11-win regular season in style, taking down division rivals the Green Bay Packers twice at Soldier Field. However, as exciting as it's been to watch this young team take shape under new coach Ben Johnson, the moment of truth has arrived: time to grade the Bears' performance.
Quarterback Caleb Williams was a mixed bag throughout the season. On one hand, he showed incredible resilience and ability to perform when his team needed him most. He set a franchise record for passing yards with 3,942, and his penchant for turning games around in the fourth quarter is undeniable. However, his completion percentage of 58.1 was lackluster, and his passer rating of 90.1 wasn't exactly eye-popping.
Despite these inconsistencies, Williams' overall impact on the team's success can't be overstated. He's a talented player who's still growing into his role as franchise quarterback, and it's clear that he has the potential to become an all-time great in Chicago.
The Bears' running back duo of D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai was a major bright spot this season. Swift showed impressive poise in his ability to take what the defense gave him, while Monangai demonstrated explosive playmaking skills after contact. The two combined for 1,870 yards and 14 touchdowns, making them one of the most reliable backfield duos in the league.
However, the wide receiver corps was a different story altogether. Rome Odunze struggled with injuries throughout the season, and DJ Moore's inconsistency was jarring at times. However, Luther Burden III showed flashes of brilliance after the catch, and Olamide Zaccheaus started strong but ultimately faded due to issues with drops.
Tight end Colston Loveland emerged as a surprise standout, earning Pro Football Focus' highest grade among rookie tight ends. The young player's route-running skills and hands made him a rare gem in Bears country, and he formed a formidable partnership with Durham Smythe in the run game.
The offensive line was a mixed bag, but overall, it performed well enough to keep up with most defenses. Guard Joe Thuney was a top performer in the passing game, while Darnell Wright emerged as a standout tackle in the run game. Rookie Ozzy Trapilo showed promise at left tackle before getting hurt in the playoffs.
The defensive line, on the other hand, was a major disappointment. Despite Montez Sweat being the best player on the unit, the Bears struggled to generate pressure and were one of only four teams unable to hold opposing running backs under five yards per carry. The lack of depth at this position is clear, and reinforcements are desperately needed.
The linebackers corps also showed flashes of brilliance, particularly from Tremaine Edmunds in the early stages of the season. However, his groin injury limited his playing time, and T.J. Edwards' absence was felt throughout the year. D'Marco Jackson held his own when given opportunities, but Noah Sewell largely struggled.
The secondary, while plagued by injuries, managed to piece together a respectable performance thanks in large part to safety Kevin Byard III's playmaking ability. Nahshon Wright also showed promise as a cornerback, and while Jaquan Brisker didn't make an impact in the turnover department, C.J. Gardner-Johnson had an instant impact after being acquired mid-season.
Special teams unit was a mixed bag, with Cairo Santos struggling to find his footing at kicker but eventually settling into a solid performance. Punter Tory Taylor was good enough, while Devin Duvernay showed reliability as return man, and Josh Blackwell stood out in various ways.
The real star of the show, however, has been coach Ben Johnson himself. Despite not unlocking Caleb Williams' full potential and seeing his offense's effectiveness wane in the fourth quarter, Johnson brought a level of enthusiasm and intensity to the team that was infectious. His demand for excellence is clear, and it paid dividends in terms of wins.
The front office, led by general manager Ryan Poles, deserves credit for the Bears' rebuild and draft haul. Poles' ability to snag key talent like Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams will be crucial to the team's success moving forward.
Grade Breakdown:
* Quarterback: B
* Running Back: B+
* Wide Receiver: C
* Tight End: A
* Offensive Line: A-
* Defensive Line: D
* Linebacker: C
* Secondary: B
* Special Teams: B
* Head Coach: A-
* General Manager: A
The Chicago Bears finished their 11-win regular season in style, taking down division rivals the Green Bay Packers twice at Soldier Field. However, as exciting as it's been to watch this young team take shape under new coach Ben Johnson, the moment of truth has arrived: time to grade the Bears' performance.
Quarterback Caleb Williams was a mixed bag throughout the season. On one hand, he showed incredible resilience and ability to perform when his team needed him most. He set a franchise record for passing yards with 3,942, and his penchant for turning games around in the fourth quarter is undeniable. However, his completion percentage of 58.1 was lackluster, and his passer rating of 90.1 wasn't exactly eye-popping.
Despite these inconsistencies, Williams' overall impact on the team's success can't be overstated. He's a talented player who's still growing into his role as franchise quarterback, and it's clear that he has the potential to become an all-time great in Chicago.
The Bears' running back duo of D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai was a major bright spot this season. Swift showed impressive poise in his ability to take what the defense gave him, while Monangai demonstrated explosive playmaking skills after contact. The two combined for 1,870 yards and 14 touchdowns, making them one of the most reliable backfield duos in the league.
However, the wide receiver corps was a different story altogether. Rome Odunze struggled with injuries throughout the season, and DJ Moore's inconsistency was jarring at times. However, Luther Burden III showed flashes of brilliance after the catch, and Olamide Zaccheaus started strong but ultimately faded due to issues with drops.
Tight end Colston Loveland emerged as a surprise standout, earning Pro Football Focus' highest grade among rookie tight ends. The young player's route-running skills and hands made him a rare gem in Bears country, and he formed a formidable partnership with Durham Smythe in the run game.
The offensive line was a mixed bag, but overall, it performed well enough to keep up with most defenses. Guard Joe Thuney was a top performer in the passing game, while Darnell Wright emerged as a standout tackle in the run game. Rookie Ozzy Trapilo showed promise at left tackle before getting hurt in the playoffs.
The defensive line, on the other hand, was a major disappointment. Despite Montez Sweat being the best player on the unit, the Bears struggled to generate pressure and were one of only four teams unable to hold opposing running backs under five yards per carry. The lack of depth at this position is clear, and reinforcements are desperately needed.
The linebackers corps also showed flashes of brilliance, particularly from Tremaine Edmunds in the early stages of the season. However, his groin injury limited his playing time, and T.J. Edwards' absence was felt throughout the year. D'Marco Jackson held his own when given opportunities, but Noah Sewell largely struggled.
The secondary, while plagued by injuries, managed to piece together a respectable performance thanks in large part to safety Kevin Byard III's playmaking ability. Nahshon Wright also showed promise as a cornerback, and while Jaquan Brisker didn't make an impact in the turnover department, C.J. Gardner-Johnson had an instant impact after being acquired mid-season.
Special teams unit was a mixed bag, with Cairo Santos struggling to find his footing at kicker but eventually settling into a solid performance. Punter Tory Taylor was good enough, while Devin Duvernay showed reliability as return man, and Josh Blackwell stood out in various ways.
The real star of the show, however, has been coach Ben Johnson himself. Despite not unlocking Caleb Williams' full potential and seeing his offense's effectiveness wane in the fourth quarter, Johnson brought a level of enthusiasm and intensity to the team that was infectious. His demand for excellence is clear, and it paid dividends in terms of wins.
The front office, led by general manager Ryan Poles, deserves credit for the Bears' rebuild and draft haul. Poles' ability to snag key talent like Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams will be crucial to the team's success moving forward.
Grade Breakdown:
* Quarterback: B
* Running Back: B+
* Wide Receiver: C
* Tight End: A
* Offensive Line: A-
* Defensive Line: D
* Linebacker: C
* Secondary: B
* Special Teams: B
* Head Coach: A-
* General Manager: A
. The Bears had a solid 11-win season, but some grades like D- for the defense are pretty harsh 
. I mean, we all know they struggled to generate pressure, but didn't they show improvement throughout the year? And what's with the linebacker corps not getting more love? They did have some great games and flashes of brilliance 
.
But overall, I think this grading system is pretty balanced. The offense had its ups and downs, but Caleb Williams still managed to put up some impressive numbers. And coach Ben Johnson's enthusiasm and intensity were definitely contagious 
.
. But overall, I think this grade breakdown is fair 
.
and those running backs d'andre swift & kyle monangai are a dynamic duo 
i'm glad we got a glimpse of colston loveland's potential at tight end too 
) - Caleb Williams was all over the place, but still managed to grow into his role. He's like that one friend who always shows up late to the party, but somehow gets it done in the end. Can't wait to see what he does next season... or if they get some reinforcements for the O-line 
It's gotta be tough for coach Johnson to deal with that kinda pressure. But at the same time, I'm excited about the future because of guys like Williams and some of the draft picks they got. Maybe next year will be better 
. The key is gonna be getting that defense turned around, but we'll see how it goes in the offseason 
, that duo was unstoppable! The defensive line, though... it's like they just phoned it in 
. I mean, Montez Sweat is a beast, but not enough to save the team.
. He brought energy and enthusiasm to the team, even when things weren't going their way. The front office needs to keep doing what they're doing, snagging key talent like Johnson and Williams 
. It's gonna be interesting to see how it all plays out in 2025.
The defensive line needs a major overhaul, but that young OL made some huge strides. 
so the Bears are a mixed bag, surprise surprise 
. I mean, you've got your stars like Caleb Williams and Colston Loveland, but then you've also got your injury-plagued squad, DJ Moore struggling to find his footing (again), and that whole wide receiver corps just...meh 
. And don't even get me started on the defensive line, that's just sad 
. On the bright side, Ben Johnson's enthusiasm is still going strong, so that's something 
. Overall, it's a solid effort from the Bears, but they've got some work to do if they wanna be serious contenders 
. and what's up with the receivers?rome odunze cant even make it through a game without getting hurt 
. on the other hand, colston loveland was pretty impressive as a rookie tight end 
. He's still growing into his role and had some killer 4th quarter performances 
. But Burden III showed some serious flashes of brilliance after the catch 
!
! He might not have unlocked Williams' full potential yet, but he's still got the magic touch 
.
. They snagged some key talent and set the Bears up for success moving forward 
. And Colston Loveland's route-running skills are insane 
... needs some work, you know? Losing Montez Sweat and not being able to hold running backs under 5 yards per carry is a problem 
, and I'm stoked he's going to be a key part of this team for years to come.
. He brought a level of energy to the team that was infectious, and I'm glad to see Poles making moves to get key talent in 
️. The grades are pretty balanced, but if I had to pick one thing that stood out, it's Colston Loveland at tight end - that kid's got skills 
. And don't even get me started on that O-line 
. And kudos to GM Ryan Poles for making some solid moves in the offseason 
. I mean, who lets running backs get over 5 yards per carry? 
.
.
. Overall, I'd give the Bears an A- for their season performance 