2024 Chicago Bears Team Outlook
After unloading Justin Fields to Pittsburgh, there was little doubt that the Chicago Bears' long quest for a franchise signal-caller would look to USC's Caleb Williams. The preeminent pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, Williams won the 2022 Heisman Trophy and gives the Bears a legitimate shot at an instant turnaround ala C.J. Stroud and Houston last season.
Williams is a gunslinger with pinpoint accuracy, excellent instincts, and the capability of beating opponents through the air or on the ground. He has the upside to post QB1 numbers immediately and is surrounded by an intriguing supporting cast.
Easing some of the pressure off Williams and the passing attack is newly-signed RB D'Andre Swift. He got a career-high 229 carries and 1,049 rushing yards last season but faded after a fast start. Swift also had his worst season as a receiver due to the nature of Philadelphia's offense. Matt Eberflus's team threw 106 targets to running backs last season, so there is hope that Swift can recoup some of his PPR value.
Another trait in Eberflus's offense has been committee backfields. Swift is better utilized in that role. Second-year runner Roschon Johnson will mix in with Khalil Herbert as late-round fantasy options.
Keenan Allen was a huge offseason acquisition for the Bears. Allen offers Willaims a trusty veteran underneath presence. Allen has topped 100 receptions in four of his last five seasons but must now contend for volume in a stacked offense.
D.J. Moore was a sensation in 2023, posting WR6 numbers in a Chicago passing attack that finished 27th. 100 of Moore's 136 targets (73.5%) came from the perimeter, so Allen's presence should only help. Both of the Bear's top-2 wideouts are on the fantasy WR2 radar.
Chicago also used their second selection in Round One of the 2024 NFL Draft on Washington WR Rome Odunze. The No. 9 pick is an elite route-runner and downfield terror with terrific hands. Odunze is a star in the making and an intriguing mid-round target.
At tight end, Chicago added Gerald Everett- a rather odd signing after starter Cole Kmet was tied for ninth at the position with 90 targets. Kmet finished the year as the TE8, while Everett averaged 7.4 fantasy points per game. This could develop into a frustrating committee commanding fewer targets behind a deep receiving corps.
2024 is a crossroads for the Chicago Bears. The franchise retained a head coach with questionable success but also used a ton of valuable draft capital to rebuild a long-term contender. If Caleb Williams can live up to the hype, there should be a lot of fantasy production in the Windy City.
QB Caleb Williams, CHI - Sleeper (undervalued)
One of the most heralded quarterback prospects in the past five years, Caleb Williams will make his NFL debut in a solid situation. The Bears are loaded with talented pass catchers and have one of the three easiest schedules in 2024. Williams, the 2022 Heisman winner, set numerous passing records at USC. He is an aggressive field general capable of picking apart man coverage, making pinpoint accurate throws deep, and beating opponents with his legs. With a supporting cast of D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet, Caleb Williams is in a good spot to become the first-ever Bears QB to exceed 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. ADVICE: QB2 Who Will Contend for QB1 Status
RB D'Andre Swift, CHI - Solid/Safe Pick
D'Andre Swift arrives in Chicago with a lucrative contract, solidifying his role as the Bears' primary running back. While Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson were possible candidates to start, Swift's three-year $24 million contract tells us who the lead dog will be. Swift's one season in Philadelphia resulted in his first 1,000-yard effort. But his usage was erratic. Swift finished as an RB1 in just five of his 16 outings. An increase in targets would go a long way toward Swift becoming a more reliable fantasy option with the Bears. He's a reliable RB2 who will post a handful of elite performances. ADVICE: RB2 who will have some boom weeks
RB Khalil Herbert, IND - Quality Backup
When given opportunities, Herbert has consistently forced missed tackles, ground out productive yards, and shown promise as a between-the-tackles option. He exceeded 100 rushing yards in three of the four games that he received 15-plus carries last season and had a career-high 20 targets. However, the signing of D'Andre Swift keeps Herbert in a reserve role and he is unlikely to see many looks in the passing game. That reduces Herbert to a change-of-pace/handcuff option with little chance of making much noise unless Swift is injured. ADVICE: Solid handcuff option but has no path to weekly production unless there are injuries
RB Roschon Johnson, CHI - Bye Week Fill-in
Johnson didn't make much impact as a runner, logging double-digit carries just once in his rookie campaign. He did manage to lead Chicago's backfield in targets (40) and yards per route run (1.10). With Chicago signing D'Andre Swift to a big-money deal, Johnson is unlikely to see enough carries to make much of an impact as a runner. He may fill in on obvious passing downs but with a loaded receiving corps, will have a tough time commanding enough targets to be fantasy-relevant. ADVICE: Little more than a late-round dart throw with modest PPR appeal in deeper fantasy leagues
WR D.J. Moore, CHI - Solid/Safe Pick
D.J. Moore excelled in his first season with Chicago, finishing as the WR6 with an average of 14.0 points per game. He demonstrated dominance with a 43% air yards share and a top-10 target share at 29%. Moore's talent came through, setting career highs in nearly every category. Despite entering his seventh NFL season, Moore is only 27 and possesses a skill set that will age well. However, with rookie Caleb Williams replacing Fields and the addition of WR Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze, Moore's fantasy upside in 2024 may encounter challenges. ADVICE: Solid WR2 but unlikely to repeat last year's gaudy target numbers
WR Rome Odunze, CHI - Bye Week Fill-in
In a rookie class heralded as one of the deepest in recent history, Rome Odunze could be the savvy pick in the group. Odunze is an elite and nuanced route-runner adept at creating space in all concepts. He also posted a 97th-percentile catch radius and led all FBS receivers in contested catch targets in 2023. Odunze has familiarity with new QB Caleb Williams and has worked to build chemistry with his fellow rookie all off-season. He'll start off as Chicago's No. 3, but Odunze is an elite talent and team-first guy who has the skills to easily outproduce his ADP. ADVICE: Ultra talented rookie sleeper to target in middle rounds
