The Chicago Bears are one of the most exciting teams in the league heading into 2024. Last year, the team saw significant strides under Head Coach Matt Eberflus and company. Then, they had the most exciting off-season of any team on the offensive side of the ball. Major additions were made via free agency, trade, and the draft. They also made additions at every fantasy-relevant position to make matters more exciting for the dynasty community.
This series of articles will cover each NFL team from top to bottom, highlighting the offensive skill players you need to know. Without further ado, let us dive into the 2024 Chicago Bears.
Caleb Williams, QB
Williams is one of the highest-rated QBs ever to enter the NFL. Some in the draft community have even gone as far as to claim he is the best prospect since John Elway. The former Heisman Trophy winner joined the Bears as the first overall draft pick. He will replace former first-round pick Justin Fields, who was shipped to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a corresponding trade.
Some have seen Williams as a franchise savior. But why is that? From a dynasty perspective, he possesses every tool you could want in a QB. He is athletic, intelligent, and has a big arm. He has often been compared to Patrick Mahomes, especially when making off-schedule plays.
Here’s just under 10 minutes of USC QB Caleb Williams Heisman season highlights.
— College Football Alerts (@CFBAlerts_) July 7, 2023
• 4,447 total yards (school record)
• 47 total touchdowns (school record)
Back to back Heismans incoming? 👀 pic.twitter.com/dgkHIgb6KR
One of the best parts about Williams for us dynasty managers is the situation he was drafted into. The Bears have a ton of high-end weapons at their disposal. We will go over those players in detail below. Suffice it to say that William has likely landed in the best spot ever for a QB drafted first overall.
Williams has the talent and the tools at his disposal to be a QB1 in his rookie year. If you have the first rookie pick, enjoy this talented playmaker. However, if you want to trade for Williams, the price may make him less attractive. You will almost certainly have to give a comparable QB and a valuable second piece like the deal below that I found on the Dynasty Nerds trade browser.
By season’s end, Williams will find himself between a low-end QB1 and a high-end QB2. That makes him a valuable asset for your SuperFlex dynasty squads.
Running Backs
Despite finishing as the second-ranked rushing offense in the league in 2023, the Chicago Bears chose to add to their RB room. The team went out and made a splash signing with the addition of D’Andre Swift. The team will also bring back last season’s starter Khalil Herbert. Behind those two, the team has last season’s highly touted rookie, Roschon Johnson. To say that the Bears have options is an understatement.
D’Andre Swift
The former University of Georgia star has had an interesting career thus far. Swift entered the league as a second-round pick of Chicago’s division rival Detriot Lions. Swift garnered a ton of excitement in dynasty circles, as many believed he was the long-awaited successor to Barry Sanders as the next great Lions RB.
Things just never seemed to work out for Swift in Detriot. Whether by injury or clashing with his coaches, Swift never crossed the league-wide benchmark of 1,000 rushing in a season. To be sure, he made plays. He lacked the consistency to lock down the job long-term under Dan Campbell. As a result, last season, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for a mere fourth-round pick.
As you can see above, the trade to the Eagles was just the boost that Swift needed. Sure, his passing numbers took a dip, but he blew away his previous numbers in the running game. Swift proved that he could lead a rushing attack, taking on a meaningful amount of carries in the process. This emergence in the rushing game, combined with his previous work as a receiver, led the Bears to make him the season’s first free-agent RB signing.
Fuck it. Here's D'Andre Swift's highlights from his 1k yard season last year. pic.twitter.com/TgwUXRh9fk
— Ficky (@itsfickybaby) March 11, 2024
I expect 2024 to be a career-best season for Swift. I believe that he has the chance to combine his best seasons. He will undoubtedly be used in conjunction with Herbert and Johnson, but he should be able to put up another 1,000-yard season with another 40-50 catches with close to 500 receiving yards. Those numbers would have him look like James Cook did last season in Buffalo.
Khalil Herbert
Herbert could very well maintain a decent role on this team in 2024. He has been too dynamic of a runner to relegate him to the bench.
Two short seasons ago, Herbert led all RBs in YPC with a robust 5.7 average. He routinely ripped off chunk plays, working the read option with Justin Fields. Now, while he did leave something to be desired in the passing game, he more than made up for it with plays like those below.
Khalil Herbert Appreciation Post
— Michael Snyder (@Snyds00) November 10, 2022
– 6 yards per carry (3rd)
– 17 runs of 10+ yards (6th)
– 587 rushing yards (11th)
– 389 yards after contact (11th)
– 23 missed tackles forced (15th) pic.twitter.com/yOUNyoLNa0
There have been some rumblings of Herbert being dangled in the trade market. He could be an ideal candidate for a team like Dallas, Las Vegas, or Tampa. But if he keeps his spot on the roster, Herbert could be a high-end handcuff, given Swift’s past injury woes.
Herbert has reportedly been involved in trade talks for two reasons. First and foremost, you have his contract. Herbert is entertaining the final season of his rookie contract. Second, last season’s fourth-round pick, Johnson, flashed three-down potential.
Roschon Johnson
The former Texas Longhorns runner spent his time in college buried on a loaded depth chart that featured Bijan Robinson, among others. Johnson put in yeoman-type work and showed well for himself in all 3 phases of the game. Think of him as an RB version of Terry McLaurin, where he could have transferred elsewhere and been a featured player but chose to stay at the tougher program.
Johnson managed to show well for himself whenever he was given an opportunity. In college and the pros, he has proven to be a capable ball carrier who plays physically yet has the soft hand and IQ to be an asset in the passing game. If the team did decide to part with Herbert, that would immediately vault Johnson into an interesting position. He would be one Swift injury away from a prominent role on his team.
I feel Roschon Johnson is in to have a huge year in 2024.
— Just Another Year Chicago: Bears (@OfficialJAYCHI) May 14, 2024
His breaking-tackle ability helps us move the chains and create momentum, and we need Waldron make sure he uses that.pic.twitter.com/PUcvWmY7QX
Johnson is one of my favorite handcuffs to grab. I believe that he is a talented RB. He may well find himself third on the depth chart, but that does not mean he will not have an opportunity for upward mobility. Herbert will almost surely be gone next season at the latest. Herbert’s potential exit would open up a significant number of touches for Johnson. His value is also at an all-time low. I would happily pay a third-round pick to have him on my bench.
Wide Receivers
The Chicago Bears have one of the top WR units in the NFL heading into 2024. DJ Moore and Keenan Allen were both top 10 WRs in 2023. Each had monster years as the top pass catchers on their respective teams. Add in a top-10 draft pick in Rome Odunze and fillers like Tyler Scott, and you will have the makings of a truly special group of playmakers.
DJ Moore
Despite the massive additions made during this offseason, Moore is still the top target in the Bears passing attack. The team acquired him last year from the Carolina Panthers as part of the first-overall pick deal. The Bears had been searching for a true WR1 ever since Allen Robinson faded at the end of his tenure in the Windy City.
Moore paid off in spades. In his first year in Chicago, he put up one of the best years ever by a Bears WR. He displayed playmaking ability all over the field and set career bests in catches, yards, and touchdowns. You can see his numbers below.
At just 27 years old, Moore is firmly in his prime. The Bears control his rights through 2025. He will undoubtedly be a major part of Williams’ growth and development. His highlights below show that Moore is a special player. Few players can combine route running and separation with run-after-the-catch ability in the way Moore is able to on a football field.
DJ Moore has been all the @ChicagoBears had hoped for and more through the first five games:
— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2023
🔶 531 receiving yards
🔶 5 TDs
📺: #MINvsCHI — Sunday 1pm ET on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/SPNwDoeaHb
The arrival of Allen and Odunze has served to suppress the price of DJ Moore. His value was at an all-time high at the end of last season. You could routinely acquire him for a first-round pick or a pair of seconds. I would gladly pay this price for a player who will finish no worse than a high-end WR2. Outside of injury, I see virtually zero chance that he will not be in the top 20 WRs in the league. If your league mates have soured on Moore, do yourself a favor, scoop him up at a discount, and thank me later.
Keenan Allen
Next up at the WR position, the Bears bring Allen to the forefront. The long-time Chargers stalwart has been one of the best WRs in the league over the past decade. You would be forgiven for expecting Allen’s skills to have diminished over the last several years. However, this is not the case, as seen from his highlights last season.
✔️ 1,243 yds
— NFL (@NFL) June 30, 2024
✔️ 108 receptions
✔️ 7 TDs@Keenan13Allen balled out in 2023, but what will he do with the @ChicagoBears next year? 👀 pic.twitter.com/dEURcRZfuP
The Bears acquired Allen from the Chargers for a mere fourth-round pick. While he has only one year left on his current deal, Allen and the team have expressed interest in signing an extension to keep him in Chicago. Allen has been one of the most consistent WRs in the league over the years, using his elite-level running route to create separation and provide his quarterback with an open target.
Despite entering his age-32 season, Allen should again be a fantasy asset for dynasty owners. I believe his elite-level route running will lend itself to him being a heavily targeted player out of the slot. I am not attempting to disparage Mike Williams, but Moore is better than any WR Allen has ever paired with in the past. Along with Odunze and the talented pair of TE’s, he will open up a ton of space underneath for Allen to operate.
Allen should be a reliable PPR asset for dynasty managers. His age and career uncertainty mean he will come at a cheap price relative to the potential return he could give managers attempting to compete in the short term. Searching the Dynasty Nerds trade browser reveals he can be had for as little as a second-round pick. I am more than happy to pay that price for the potential top-20 finish he may bring me. Allen is one of my favorite win-now buys.
Rome Odunze
Next in the pecking order is rookie phenom Odunze. The former Washington Husky star was one of the top-graded players in the entire 2024 draft class. Drawing lofty comparisons to players like Larry Fitzgerald, Odunze brings a well-rounded game that will help him build an immediate connection with his rookie QB. Allen may be the short-term bridge, but Odunze is the long-term answer for the Bears.
During his time at Washington, Odunze was one of the best WRs in the nation. He was a two-time First-Team All-Pac12 and a unanimous First-Team All-American in his final season of college ball. At over 6’2″ and 212 lbs., there is little that Odunze cannot do. On the heels of his stellar college career, he went to Indianapolis and solidified his stock as a top 10 pick with a robust combine performance.
Odunze has an all-around game will allow him to play all over the formation. Despite his immense talent, it is hard to determine his early career role with the Bears. As discussed above, Moore and Allen were both top-10 WRs in the entire NFL last year from a fantasy standpoint. Odunze will undoubtedly be utilized, but it’s not as if he will be thrust into a target-heavy top role on his team. Despite this fact, when you see his type of player, you will certainly want him on your dynast roster as he will be given a chance to grow and develop with Williams.
Rome Odunze 2023 Season Highlights. pic.twitter.com/yHIx4pTtgT
— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) April 26, 2024
Outside of these top three targets, there is very little to write home about on the Bears from a fantasy standpoint. Last year’s fourth-round pick, Tyler Scott, does offer some interesting depth appeal. He and Velus Jones, Colin Johnson, and Deandre Carter round out the Chicago depth chart. This should be a passing game to follow, offering intriguing dynasty appeal.
Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, TEs
The Bears WRs aren’t the only fantasy-relevant pass catcher on the roster. The team also boasts a pair of highly skilled TEs. Both Kmet and Everett have been extremely productive pass catchers in terms of numbers throughout their careers.
Kmet was a breakout player for the Bears in 2023. The former second-round pick out of Notre Dame is a dynamic playmaker who was a dual-sport athlete in college. Last season, in a contract year, he put up career bests across the board. He developed a legitimate connection with the team’s former quarterback, Fields.
Kmet is a well-rounded TE who can make plays in the passing game while also being an asset in the running attack. He will provide Williams with a reliable set of hands across the middle of the field. Despite bringing in a ton of target competition, Ryan Poles plans for Kmet to be a significant part of the Bears’ offense based on his four-year, $50 million contract. Kmet is now one of the top-paid players at his position, and based on the plays he has made on the field, you can see why below.
Enjoy some Cole Kmet highlights to honor him signing his big contract extension! 🎉🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/RDgws3sK05
— Sadeek 🪐 (@SadeekNextWave) July 26, 2023
The arrival of so many new mouths to feed has caused the price on Kmet to take a nose dive. His price was at an all-time high at the end of last year. Now, he can be had for as little as a second-round pick. In TE premium, I am more than happy to pay that price for a player with Kmet’s upside.
Behind Kmet, the Bears have one of the best backup TEs in the league with Everett. The former South Alabama pass catcher is an uber-athletic move TE who has grown considerably as a run blocker since being selected by the Rams in the second round of the 2027 draft.
Caleb Williams to Gerald Everett.. 👀
— Dave (@dave_bfr) May 22, 2024
pic.twitter.com/Tp1HbviywR
Everett will be hard to trust in fantasy playing behind Kmet. When you add in the sheer number of talented WRs and RBs, I believe that Everett will be more of an injury play than anything. Williams will almost certainly use his TE the way rookie QBs routinely do. If Kmet misses time, Everett could certainly make some noise as he has in the past.
Final Thoughts
The 2024 Chicago Bears will be a team that deploys many dynasty-relevant players. Chicago boasts one of the youngest rosters in the league. If Williams can take the reins and lead this team, they could boast a top-12 player at every major skill position.
The Bears will almost certainly throw the ball more in 2024 with the departure of Fields. Williams has a legitimate shot at breaking the Bears single-season passing record of 3,838 yards set by Eric Kramer in 1995. He could also break Kramer’s record of 29 TDs in a season. If both or either of these things come to pass, Chicago will offer plenty of dynasty goodness for your squads.
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