Three specific factors that could potentially derail the Chicago Bears 2024 season

The Chicago Bears have some lofty high expectations going into the upcoming 2024 season and rightfully so.

The Bears have easily been one of the most improved teams in the entire league since the 2023 season came to a close but the only thing that matters is how the team actually looks on the field.

While the Bears should be expected to find some early success and eventually have a much improved season, here are three factors that could derail the team's season.

1. Caleb Williams and his ball security concerns

No matter how great Caleb Williams is expected to be entering his rookie season, all quarterbacks (even the great ones) have glaring weaknesses they need to overcome.

For Williams, his main concern heading into his first season in the NFL is his ball security, both in the pocket and on the move. During the 2023 college football season, Williams had 16 of his 33 career fumbles according to The Athletics' Dane Brugler . Brugler specifically mentioned in his scouting report that Williams "holds the ball loose from his body" and that 240 of his drop backs since 2022 lasted 4+ seconds.

The same can be true that Williams is a fantastic player when the play breaks down and he's forced to improvise. However, if the fumbles continue to be a major concern for the team's rookie quarterback, it could set the offense back a few drives. Or even worse, cost the team a win if it comes at the wrong time.

2. Defense once again fails to create consistent pressure

Under head coach Matt Eberflus, one main concern has consistently plagued the unit over the past two seasons. That, of course, is getting after the opposing quarterback and creating consistent pressure from the defensive front.

In 2022, the Bears ranked 23rd in pass rush win rate and then ranked 25th the following season in 2023. Since 2022, the Bears were also last or 31st in defensive sacks per game.

The front office and coaching staff have tried to combat this concern directly after acquiring Pro Bowl defensive end Montez Sweat prior to last year's trade deadline and then hiring defensive coordinator Eric Washington this offseason. The team also drafted promising rookie Austin Booker in the fifth round, but he's been the only credible addition made to the defensive line.

If the unit once again struggles to create consistent pressure against opposing offenses, it will be a major red flag for Eberflus and his unit.

3. Shane Waldron's offense stumbles out of the gate

The Bears' 2024 schedule is incredibly backloaded in terms of the level of competition based on the projected win totals. Therefore, the first half of the season for the Bears, on paper, should be remarkably easier than the second half.

This might seem like a good thing for the team who will be trotting out a rookie quarterback and a new offensive scheme in Week 1, but it could also be a bad thing.

So far during OTAs and minicamp, the Bears offense led by their rookie quarterback has mainly struggled against the team's starting defense. Williams expects the unit to get everything figured out by training camp , but what happens if the struggles continue into the season during the easy part of the schedule? If the Bears drop a few games early due to offensive miscues, stacking wins will be tough to come by as the season progresses.

Related: Three specific reasons why the Chicago Bears will get over the hump during the 2024 season