Analyzing what the Chicago Bears 2024 offseason could look like

Chicago Bears 2024 Offseason Outlook: What’s next for the Bears defense?

on the defensive side of the ball, including significant free agents and defensive coordinator prospects to follow.

Illinois’s Lake ForestThe Chicago Bears’ 2023 season has officially ended. The regular season saw a bit of everything on defense, despite a poor start and a strong conclusion.

Several turnovers were caused by the linebacker core and secondary at different points in the game. The pass rush was inconsistent in pressuring opposing quarterbacks in prior games.

In addition, early in the season, the sudden departure of defensive coordinator Alan Williams cast further doubt on a defense that had inconsistent results.

Poles has made significant financial investments in the defense over the past 12 months, awarding hefty contracts to Rasheem Green, Demarcus Walker, Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Montez Sweat, and Yannick Ngakoue. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson, a future free agent, should be next in line.

According to Over The Cap, Chicago has spent $106 million on defense thus far. Given the uncertain future of safety Eddie Jackson and the possibility of Johnson’s extension, this figure is likely to fluctuate.

Chicago did saw some improvement as a team in the takeaways category in November and December. Still, it wasn’t sufficient. late in the”Defensively, the last eight games, first in the league in scoring defense,” stated Eberflus. “Watching the boys come together in that way was really fantastic. We are pretty proud of that since we were first in the league in the QBR and seventh in the league in rush defense over the last eight games. Additionally, our defense played an extremely outstanding job of ballhawking and gathering interceptions. The turnover margin is the most significant statistic. How come our last eight record was 5-3? Actually, it was the margin of turnover. Plus-12 was the temperature.”

General manager Ryan Poles should be pleased with the defense group he has assembled over the last two offseasons going into 2024. He has improved the pass rush, reorganized the secondary, and put together a core of linebackers that is the ideal blend of youthful energy and seasoned experience. Additionally, he has significantly strengthened the defensive line’s interior with the acquisitions of Gervon Dexter and Zach Pickens, the latter of whom began to establish himself and find a place in the second half of the previous campaign.

Poles, who is starting his third season as general manager, will have his work cut out for him as the offseason approaches. Now, the issue is what defense could look like throughout the offseason, particularly with Matt Eberflus back?Not a VIP subscriber to the Bear Report? Sign up now to get access to everything publisher Zack Pearson and the entire Bear Report team have to offer on all things Chicago Bears and access to the No. 1 site covering the team!