2024 Chicago Bears Preview: Roster Moves, Depth Chart, Schedule, Storylines and More

2024 Chicago Bears Preview: Roster Moves, Depth Chart, Schedule, Storylines and More

This article is part of our Team Previews series.

Chicago Bears

Entering the third season with coach Matt Eberflus and GM Ryan Poles leading the team, the Bears are hopeful they're on track to compete both now and for years to come. The defense will look to take the next step after playing well in the second half of 2023. On offense, drafting Caleb Williams carries the expectation that Chicago found a franchise quarterback. Plus, the Bears surrounded the rookie with an excellent group of skill-position players. In the end, though, it may take more than one year for this team to be dangerous.

Chicago Bears 2024 Vital Information

  • Head Coach: Matt Eberflus (Year 3)
  • Offensive Coordinator: Shane Waldron (Year 1) – West Coast offense
  • Defensive Coordinator: Eric Washington (Year 1) – 4-3 scheme
  • Bye Week: 7

Full 2024 Chicago Bears Depth Chart

Full 2023 Chicago Bears Stats

Stats to Know for the Chicago Bears

  • 2023 Record: 7-10
  • 2023 Strength of Schedule: .464 (28th)
  • 2023 Point Differential: -19 (T-19th)
  • 2023 Pass-Play Rate: 57% (29th)
  • 2023 PROE: -4.9% (27th)
  • 2023 PFF O-Line Rating: 19th
2023 StatsOffenseDefense
Plays1,097 (9th)1,035 (28th)
Points360 (18th)379 (20th)
Turnovers25 (T-21st)28 (T-5th)
Yards5,495 (20th)5,511 (12th)
Rush Yards2,399 (2nd)1,468 (1st)
Pass Yards3,096 (27th)4,043 (25th)
Drives184 (19th)184 (T-12th)
Yards per Drive29.8 (15th)29.8 (16th)
Points per Drive1.90 (13th)1.88 (17th)

Chicago Bears 2024 Key Transactions

Skill Positions

 QBRBWRTE
Veteran AdditionsBrett RypienD'Andre SwiftKeenan AllenGerald Everett
   DeAndre Carter 
     
Veteran DeparturesJustin FieldsD'Onta ForemanDarnell MooneyRobert Tonyan
 Nathan Peterman Equanimeous St. Brown 
   Trent Taylor 

Defense

 DLLBDB
Veteran AdditionsNoneNoneKevin Byard
   Jonathan Owens
    
Veteran DeparturesJustin JonesNoneEddie Jackson
 Yannick Ngakoue  

Draft Picks

RoundPickPlayerPosition
11Caleb WilliamsQB
19Rome OdunzeWR
375Kiran AmegadjieT
4122Tory TaylorP
5144Austin BookerDE

Chicago Bears 2024 Top Fantasy Story

Quarterbacks often are the key to winning in the NFL. Many analysts believe that Caleb Williams was the best passer in the 2024 Draft. When a rookie QB is selected No. 1 overall, the team obtaining that player may lack strong weapons. That's not the case in Chicago.

In 2023, DJ Moore posted 1,364 receiving yards with nine scores after coming over from the Panthers. This year, Keenan Allen also was acquired via trade. As a Charger, Allen tallied at least 1,138 yards and six touchdowns in five of the last seven seasons. Chicago also used the ninth overall pick in this year's draft to select Rome Odunze. The receivers will be joined by TE Cole Kmet, who is coming off a 719-yard season.

In addition, the Bears added RB D'Andre Swift in free agency. As a runner, he's averaged 4.6 YPC in his career. And during his time in Detroit, he averaged 399 receiving yards per year. If Chicago can get opposing defenses to focus on the aforementioned pass catchers, Swift could have ample space to operate in both areas. 

While Williams transitions to the NFL, he'll work with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who just got back-to-back career years out of Geno Smith in Seattle. Waldron also integrated three wide receivers into the offense and should be able to do the same for the Bears. With the weapons in this offense, there's a chance it quickly reaches top-15 level. However, it may take until 2025 for this unit to approach its ceiling.

Chicago Bears 2024 Sleepers

⬆️  Sleeper: WR Rome Odunze

Odunze could be limited to work in three-receiver sets, as Chicago has DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. When that occurs, it's likely Allen kicks into the slot, which should allow Odunze to play outside. Opposing defenses will likely prioritize slowing the veterans. As a result, Odunze should see plenty of single coverage, allowing him to use his excellent route running and ability to produce yardage after the catch to post big numbers. Even with limited snaps, Odunze could erupt.

😴  Super Sleeper: RB Khalil Herbert

Chicago has Roschon Johnson and D'Andre Swift atop the RB depth chart, so Herbert seems to be the odd man out. The path to fantasy relevance for Herbert may be as an early-down runner. While Swift has averaged 4.6 yards per carry in his career, Herbert is a shade above him at 4.9 YPC. In 2023, Herbert had superior broken tackle and yards after contact rates compared to Swift. If given a chance, Herbert may be the better runner and take on a larger than expected role.

Chicago Bears 2024 Team Futures

Chicago Bears 2024 Player Futures

Chicago Bears 2024 Schedule

WeekDateOpponentKickoff (ET)
1Sep 8Tennessee Titans1:00 PM
2Sep 15at Houston Texans8:20 PM
3Sep 22at Indianapolis Colts1:00 PM
4Sep 29Los Angeles Rams1:00 PM
5Oct 6Carolina Panthers1:00 PM
6Oct 13Jacksonville Jaguars9:30 AM
7Bye  
8Oct 27at Washington Commanders1:00 PM
9Nov 3at Arizona Cardinals4:05 PM
10Nov 10New England Patriots1:00 PM
11Nov 17Green Bay Packers1:00 PM
12Nov 24Minnesota Vikings1:00 PM
13Nov 28at Detroit Lions12:30 PM
14Dec 8at San Francisco 49ers4:25 PM
15Dec 16at Minnesota Vikings8:00 PM
16Dec 22Detroit Lions1:00 PM
17Dec 26Seattle Seahawks8:15 PM
18TBDat Green Bay PackersTBD

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jim Coventry
Coventry was a finalist for the FSWA football writer of the year in 2022. He started playing fantasy football in 1994 and won a national contest in 1996. He also nabbed five top-50 finishes in national contests from 2008 to 2012 before turning his attention to DFS. He's been an industry analyst since 2007, though he joined RotoWire in 2016. A published author, Coventry wrote a book about relationships, "The Secret of Life", in 2013.
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