The Chicago Bears are through four weeks of the NFL season, where they’re sitting at their bye week at 2-2. It’s early for the bye, but that is the set of cards that they were dealt this year. This is an opportunity for them to get healthy, work on some things, and get ready for an incredibly important stretch. Some winnable games are coming up for them to go on a run.
There have been some ups and downs so far this year. The first two games were miserable, as they lost twice to division rivals. Since then, however, they have found ways to win games and are on a two-game winning streak. At this point, they might not be elite, but they are not one of the worst teams in the league.
If we were to grade every unit of the football team, it would have to be a combination of the good and the bad. This is how things grade out through the bye:
Offense: B-
The Bears offense has been up and down. It hasn’t even gone quarter by quarter. Instead, it’s been more quarter by quarter. For example, in the first game of the season, the first half was great for the offense, but the second half was incredibly poor. Overall, however, there has been more growth than not. With head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams leading the way, it has looked progressively better with each week. Right now, it is fair to assume that these two can be the leaders for a long time. Wide receiver Rome Odunze also is tied for the second-most touchdowns (5), and he’s primed for a breakout season. But the run game has struggled, there are questions along the offensive line and the tight ends have yet to be a factor.
Defense: C
Dennis Allen’s defense was looking rough in the first two weeks. It would have been an F at that point, especially after allowing 52 points to the Detroit Lions in Week 2. However, they have redeemed themselves a lot in the last two weeks. Creating turnovers, putting the offense in good positions to succeed, and controlling the game were big reasons they won against the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders. This is also with some key injuries to cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, and linebacker T.J. Edwards. Whether it’s Noah Sewell, Tremaine Edmunds, or Kevin Byard or Tyrique Stevenson, this defense has done wonders to help them win games in recent weeks. A solid C grade with plenty of room to improve is the key.
Special Teams: B
The special teams unit was only truly poor in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions. Since then, they have been more than solid. Tory Taylor can learn to be more of a punter than a guy that punts, Cairo Santos still lacks range but was also key in their Week 4 win (hitting four field goals, including two from 50-plus yards) and Devin Duvernay and Luther Burden III have been solid in the return game. But they have been good enough as a whole to do the job for the Bears.
Coaching: A
The Bears may have a coaching staff that they can trust in the long term. Ben Johnson put together a staff that has allowed them to take steps forward. With Johnson running the offense and Dennis Allen running the defense, they have taken tremendous strides and coaching has a lot to do with it. They would not have won the Raiders game in 2024 under Matt Eberflus. In fact, they were in the Raiders’ situation more than once. The difference is noticable on a week to week basis. What is the sign of a good coach? Improving players. We have seen multiple players take steps in their careers through the bye week, which is what this coaching staff must be graded on. There is room to be even better too, which is great for the Bears.
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