Chicago Bears 2024 Training Camp Preview

Chicago Bears 2024 Training Camp Preview

Optimism is running wild in the Windy City, as the Chicago Bears have completely retooled their offense and look ready to break out in 2024. This team played well defensively down the stretch after the Montez Sweat trade and will look to keep that momentum this season. However, it won’t be easy as the NFC North has two playoff teams in Detroit and Green Bay and a team ahead of schedule in their rebuild in Minnesota. In the Bears training camp preview, we will look at some position battles, sleepers, and more!

Three Position Battles To Watch

Center: Ryan Bates, Coleman Shelton

The Center position for the Bears entering training camp is one they have to get right, as it has been a revolving door for quite some time. Last season’s starters Lucas Patrick and Cody Whitehair are gone, and veterans Ryan Bates and Coleman Shelton were brought in to be the replacement.

If we are being honest, neither of these guys are ideal replacements. This team has struggled to find talent in the draft to play on the offensive line and failed to target a center in this draft. If Ryan Poles was smart (he isn’t, how is he still employed ?), he’d go out and look to acquire one via trade. This is going to be a revolving door yet again in 2024, something I’m sure Caleb Williams is stoked about.

Defensive End Opposite Montez Sweat: DeMarcus Walker, Yannick Ngakoue, Austin Booker

Currently, DeMarcus Walker is expected to be the starting defensive end alongside Sweat, which seems like a logical choice. However, this could change if the Bears opt to sign a free-agent defensive end before the season kicks off. Last offseason, they brought in Yannick Ngakoue, who is still available and played only 13 games due to an ankle injury, preventing him from fully demonstrating his potential next to Sweat. Additionally, rookie Austin Booker might also carve out a role for himself in the rotation, which could impact the starting lineup and distribution of playing time.

Backup Running Back: Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson

The Bears brought in D’Andre Swift, meaning the Bears have a clear starting running back for the 2024 season. However, the team could still take a committee approach, featuring veteran Khalil Herbert and year man Roschon Johnson, who will compete for the primary backup role behind Swift. Herbert showed promise late last season, while Johnson has yet to fully showcase his skills due to limited opportunities as the third back. Herbert is in the final year of his rookie contract, and it’s uncertain if Chicago plans to re-sign him. Johnson would be a nice complimentary piece to Swift if they decide to go with him.

Ready To Breakout: Montez Sweat

Montez Sweat finished the year tied for 10th in the NFL with 12.5 sacks, but it is worth noting that he notched six sacks in nine games with Chicago. With a new extension already done, we could see Sweat be one of the top sack-getters in the NFL in 2024. He fits the defense well, is the primary pass rusher, and should get a ton of first-team reps in the Bears training camp.

Rookie To Watch: Tory Taylor

Nah, I’m just kidding.

Sometimes, the obvious answer is the best answer. And in this case, the rookie to watch in Bears training camp is Caleb Williams. Williams is one of the most polarizing draft picks to come out in recent memory and will have the eyes of every NFL fan and talking head on him this season. He has a bounty of weapons at his disposal, but it’s all going to fall on him to make it work. He is in the best situation to succeed out of any rookie QB this year, and the most pressure as well.

Fantasy Sleeper: D’Andre Swift

Is there really a sleeper on this team? My thought of a sleeper is someone who is drafted low but makes a huge impact for your fantasy team, but all of the weapons on this offense (outside of Cole Kmet) are stellar. We’ll go with Swift, as he is currently listed as RB22 by ESPN, which is absurdly low. He finished fifth in rushing yards last season but settled for just five rushing touchdowns as they were mostly stolen by Jalen Hurts. Swift has a chance to get some of those back but also be the check-down option for Williams. He’ll finish higher than RB22.

Do I believe the Chicago Bears got better this off-season? Yes. Do I believe they are a real threat to make the playoffs? No. They’ll finish third in their division, probably be around .500 at like 8-9 on the year, and there will be growing pains with the offense. However, they are most certainly on the right track to being a real contender again.

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