The Chicago Bears have put together what could be a sneaky good team this coming season.
Despite coming up with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, they dealt it to the Carolina Panthers for wide receiver D.J. Moore and draft compensation, and they have also brought in running back D’Onta Foreman, who came on very strong during the second half of last season.
Even better, the Bears still have tons of salary cap space — in fact, they have more cap space than any other NFL team.
Post 6/1 Top 51 #NFL Cap Space
1. #Bears, $32.3M
2. #Panthers, $27.9M
3. #Cowboys, $24.1M
4. #Colts, $23.8M
5. #Lions, $23.7M
6. #Cardinals, $23.3M
7. #Jets, $23M
8. #Texans, $20M
…
30. #Buccaneers, $1.6M
31. #Bills, $1.4M
32. #Chiefs, $1Mhttps://t.co/va5OPwPJi6— Spotrac (@spotrac) June 1, 2023
All that cap space may make some wonder if the Bears could make a run at free agent wideout DeAndre Hopkins, a five-time Pro Bowler, but that seems unlikely, especially given the fact that he will likely opt to sign with a contender or a team that is at least a lock for the playoffs.
The Bears may not be a lock to reach the playoffs, a place they have seldom gotten to ever since losing in the Super Bowl following the 2006 season, but they should be more competitive than they were in 2022.
Last season, they had the worst record in the NFL at 3-14, and they finished dead last in points allowed.
Chicago’s defense should be at least somewhat improved thanks to a revamped front seven, but the big key for them will be the play of quarterback Justin Fields.
In his first two pro seasons, he has completed just 59.7 percent of his pass attempts while throwing almost as many interceptions (21) as touchdown passes (24).
The Bears are hoping for a big jump from Fields in year three, which is traditionally a huge year for young signal-callers.
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