The following question is part of the latest Chicago Bears mailbag, where fans submit questions for The Athletic‘s Bears beat writer Kevin Fishbain to answer.
How do you define success for this season? Nine wins? Beat the Packers? — Jason W.
I’ll let general manager Ryan Poles answer first. He was asked earlier this summer about the importance of making the postseason this season.
“Obviously, getting into the playoffs and winning playoff games would be outstanding, but I think the biggest thing is can we take that big jump from where we were last year to this year, and I think we’re capable of doing that,” Poles said.
What does that jump look like? It could be nine wins. It could be beating the Green Bay Packers. A playoff berth would be the clearest indicator of progress and success. That’s attainable. But it might not be statistical or in the standings; it’ll be something we can see and feel.
Is Williams everything the Bears hoped for? Is Matt Eberflus making the right decisions in games as the head coach and looking like the respected leader we saw on “Hard Knocks”? Is new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron the answer at play caller?
It’s possible, albeit unlikely, to answer all of those in the affirmative and have the Bears miss the playoffs. It’s possible the Bears will make the postseason and there will still be questions about the quarterback (see: 2018 Bears, among others).
Whatever the record is, and whatever Williams’ statistics are, the season will be successful if, come January, we’re talking about a team that in 2025 should compete for a deep playoff run, the way the Texans have been thought of this offseason.
