Chicago Bears News: Colin Cowherd suggests playoffs

The Chicago Bears were the worst team in the NFL last season as the team only had 3 wins and held the rights to the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Bears were able to turn the first overall pick into a package of future first-round picks from the Carolina Panthers along with wide receiver D.J. Moore.

There is no question that the Bears should be better in the upcoming season as the team addressed the wide receiver need with the addition of Moore, addressed their linebacking core with the additions of Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, addressed their offensive line with the drafting of Darnell Wright and signing of Nate Davis, and addressed their secondary with the drafting of Tyrique Stevenson.

On paper, there is no doubt that the Bears have improved but there are still some questions that linger before the team should be considered a playoff contender.

The biggest question mark is with the Bears’ starting quarterback Justin Fields. Fields must improve his ability as a passing quarterback. Many believe Fields can take a Jalen Hurts-type leap in his third season in the NFL but there must be an improvement in his decision-making if that happens.

A breakout season from quarterback Justin Fields could lead to the playoffs for the Chicago Bears.

That was the premise of the latest spin by Colin Cowherd as he thinks that the Bears should be a playoff team this season.

One thing is certain, before the Bears can be considered a legitimate playoff contender, the team has a glaring hole on their defensive front. If the Bears are unsuccessful at pressuring opposing quarterbacks this season, the defense won’t be able to get off the field and that is where we circle back to the Fields’ discussion.

The Bears with the Fields that we saw last season are not a team that is going to be able to hold their own in shootouts. It took everything Fields had last season to just get the team to the 30-point level last season in games and that would often lead to him being burnt out at the end of games. To avoid that, Fields has to be a better passing quarterback this season. If that happens, then we can begin to broach the playoff idea.