The Chicago Bears have the type of reason for optimism and excitement this season that they haven’t had in literally decades.
Although they reached the Super Bowl during the 2006 campaign, one would have to go back to the mid-1980s to find a Bears team that was clearly better than the crew they currently have.
The biggest reason for that optimism and excitement is No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams, the University of Southern California quarterback who has been described as a generational talent.
It’s unclear how much he will play during the preseason, but head coach Matt Eberflus said he will get on the field at least a little bit.
“Haven’t made any decisions but we certainly want to get him some reps,” coach Matt Eberflus said.
Normally, starters barely play — if at all — during NFL preseason games, but since Williams is a rookie, it would be good for him to at least get his feet wet so that he’ll have a tiny bit of experience under his belt when Week 1 arrives.
The Bears will start the regular season with a difficult test when they head to Texas to face the Houston Texans, so they will want to give Williams his best chance at success right away.
In a way, they have already done that by bringing in six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen and drafting University of Washington wideout Rome Odunze with the No. 9 pick in April’s draft.
If Williams does reasonably well early enough this season, one should expect Chicago to at least compete hard for a playoff spot once winter arrives.
