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Chicago Bears 2024 schedule: Spotlight shines on Caleb Williams early, often

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 22: DJ Moore #2 of the Chicago Bears celebrates a reception with Cole Kmet #85 against the Las Vegas Raiders at Soldier Field on October 22, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

By Kevin Fishbain

May 16, 2024

Who were the biggest winners and losers of the NFL schedule release? Jeff Howe has you covered.

It’s a good thing that Caleb Williams isn’t afraid of the limelight because the Chicago Bears are going to be in front of a nationally televised audience more than usual for a team with a rookie quarterback.

Their 2024 schedule includes three games in prime time — ”Sunday Night Football” in Houston, “Monday Night Football” in Minnesota and “Thursday Night Football” at home against the Seattle Seahawks — in addition to two other stand-alone games — the London game against Jacksonville and Thanksgiving in Detroit.

Welcome to the NFL, rook.

The NFL is cashing in on the excitement surrounding Williams and a 2024 Bears team that has a stronger foundation than most clubs with a No. 1 pick starting at quarterback. Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, Montez Sweat and Jaylon Johnson add to the Bears being an attractive team for the networks.

Sure, the Chicago market is always going to be alluring. Last season, with middling expectations, the Bears still had four prime-time games and another four in the late afternoon. It’s rare for a team with a rookie at quarterback to get featured this much.

Last year’s top pick, Bryce Young, played two night games. The Texans, with No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud at quarterback, played 16 consecutive games that kicked off at noon before their season finale got flexed into prime time. The 2021 Jaguars, with Trevor Lawrence under center, had only one night game. The 2020 Bengals, with Joe Burrow, had two night games on their schedule.

Even the 2012 Colts, with Andrew Luck — a comparable No. 1 pick to Williams in terms of name recognition — had only one prime-time game. Go all the way back to 2004, when the big-market Giants had No. 1 pick Eli Manning, and they had only one night game.

But this is the Bears, it’s Chicago, and it’s Williams. It’s different, and NFL fans will get acquainted with this team pretty quickly

Week 1 keys to victory

In his rookie season, Titans quarterback Will Levis completed 58.4 percent of his passes and had only eight touchdowns. While he should be improved, it’s a brand new coaching staff led by Brian Callahan, and Levis has some new teammates to get used to on offense. Bears coach Matt Eberflus’ defense, which brings back nine starters, should take advantage of any Week 1 hiccups the Titans will have — especially with the home crowd on their side. That will make things much easier for Williams.

Must-watch game: at Texans, Week 2

It’ll be the biggest stage for Williams, going against the quarterback who set the bar for rookies. The Bears defense gets a great test with Stroud and his collection of weapons, while Williams gets his first taste of “Sunday Night Football,” the biggest stage in the NFL regular season. Usually, this is a Packers game, but we don’t know yet if Week 18 will have major implications, and the Week 11 matchup at Soldier Field doesn’t have the prime-time bells and whistles, so we’ll go with the early season battle of young quarterbacks.

Find the best deals on tickets to see your favorite teams.

Toughest stretch: Weeks 13-16

The Bears enter December with three consecutive road games — Thanksgiving in Detroit, Week 14 at the 49ers and then a Monday night game in Minnesota in Week 15. It’s the first time the Bears have had three weeks in a row on the road since 2008. Sure, the trips to Detroit and Minnesota are quick and they get a mini-bye after the Lions game, but it’s still a trio of games in hostile environments, plus back-to-back road games against last year’s NFC championship teams. And when the Bears do return home, it’s a game against the defending division champion Lions in Week 16.

Game that has gotten tougher: vs. Texans, Week 2

Coming off their AFC South title last season, the Texans added wide receiver Stefon Diggs, running back Joe Mixon and defensive end Danielle Hunter. That’s a pretty good haul, especially for a team that lacked a first-round pick in the draft. Stroud now has Diggs, Nico Collins, Noah Brown, Tank Dell and Dalton Schultz to throw to, and Mixon out of the backfield. Hunter is quite the complementary piece on the defensive line for Will Anderson. This was already going to be a marquee game, and the Texans’ offseason additions have upped the ante.

One game the Bears can’t afford to lose: vs. Titans, Week 1

Is this harsh? Sure. Would a loss in the opener mean anything in the grand scheme of the season or what the Bears are building? Of course not. But this game is going to have a massive build-up. The Bears will be favored at home against a Titans team with a new coach and Levis at quarterback. Now, Tennessee made some big improvements in the offseason, but this is a game the Bears — on paper — should win, and while it shouldn’t carry the weight of other season openers, it would still be a letdown after the Summer of Caleb to lose to Tennessee at home.

Best offense the Bears will face: 49ers (Week 14)

Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel. Oh, and Brandon Aiyuk (for now) and first-round rookie Ricky Pearsall. Plus Brock Purdy, who led the NFL in QBR last season. The 49ers, in Kyle Shanahan’s scheme, led the NFL in the following: yards per play, yards per pass and red-zone offense. The multiple ways the 49ers can beat defenses will test the Bears’ levels on defense, as it will take all 11 players to contain their attack.

Best defense the Bears will face: 49ers (Week 14)

There’s a reason — well, many reasons — the 49ers are 25-9 in the past two seasons, including a trip to the Super Bowl last February. They’re that good on both sides of the ball. They were tied for fifth in the league in takeaways in 2023 (28, same as the Bears), and gave up the third-fewest points per game (17.5). Pro Bowlers Nick Bosa and Fred Warner will be two of the best defensive players the Bears face all season.

Predicted record: 9-8

Stroud was the first rookie QB picked in the top two in more than a decade to win at least nine games. It isn’t easy, but no rookie QB picked first overall has had a better landing spot than Williams. We still have to factor in the standard challenges that will come with a first-year quarterback, question marks on the offensive line, and there’s also understandable skepticism about the coaching staff. Still, this is the deepest and most talented Bears roster since the 12-win 2018 season. If Williams quickly adjusts to NFL defenses and the Bears can stay healthy, double-digit wins is very possible.

Predicted NFC North finish: Third

1. Green Bay, 2. Detroit, 3. Chicago, 4. Minnesota

This could be a three-playoff-team division, and it’s going to be one of the most competitive in the league. It’s difficult to project what the 2024 Bears will look like and how good Williams will be. We know the Lions are back and loaded, and if Jordan Love continues to ascend, the Packers will be in position to return to the top of the NFC North. And we can’t rule out the Vikings being in the mix, either.

(Photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

Kevin Fishbain is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Chicago Bears. He spent the 2013-16 seasons on the Bears beat for Shaw Media publications, including the Northwest Herald, Daily Chronicle and Joliet Herald-News. Previously, he covered the NFL from 2010 to 2012 for Pro Football Weekly. Follow Kevin on Twitter @kfishbain

COMMENTS

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Steve S.

· Wed

So if they handle the five easy teams, take 3 of four from Indy, Rams Seattle and Jacksonville and split in their divisional games against Vikes Pack and Lions , it adds up to 11 wins. Sounds doable. And entertaining !

Win totals are nice and all, but there’s only one thing that matters to me this year: beat the Packers. Not a single win since 2018 is gut wrenching.

Paul P.

· Wed

I think 10 wins is reasonable expectations. More would be awesome but 10 wins and a wildcard is the minimum. Anything less would be an L. This team on paper should be really fun to watch. Hopefully Caleb can adjust to the NFL quick and this will be a great year.

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