Bears=7
I feel like I'm more optimistic than my fellow Bears fans. Won 4 more games than the season before, and was very competitive against several playoff teams, including beating down the final 4 Lions. Won 4 of the last 6, and the defense didn't give up more than 20 in any of those games. Also Carolina's pick ended up being #1.
Personally, I like Fields and think he can absolutely be the long term QB, but I'm not opposed to taking Caleb Williams either. I think Williams is the better prospect, I just don't think he's 3 1st round picks better. If they can pull off a similar trade to last season, I'd do it, especially if they can still have 2 top-10 picks.
I like the RBs, it was unfortunate they were never really all healthy together until the end of the season. Personally, I think Herbert is the best of the group.
Darnell Mooney took a huge step back at WR, and really other than DJ Moore this is a major hole. I think they need a #2 and #3 WR.
Cole Kmet had a breakout season. I hated the contract they signed him to, but he's a solid player.
OL wasn't great, though injuries did a number on them. I wasn't a fan of the Darnell Wright pick, and I thought he had an ok rookie season. Cody Whitehair used to be a very good OL. but at 32, he looks like a he should be a backup at this stage. Nate Davis was banged up, and looked like a FA bust when he was on the field, but perhaps better health will fix that. Tevin Jenkins has looked good since his washout rookie season. Braxton Jones looks like a decent LT. They need a C badly, but hopefully better health and development (4 starters 27 or younger) fixes some issues.
Montez Sweat came in and instantly looked like a high-end player. A lot of people think they overpaid giving up what turned out to be the 40 pick, but I'm ok with it. They need a guy opposite him though. At DT, the 2 rookies (Dexter, Pickens) looked pretty overmatched most of the season. Andrew Billings was a nice player though. They need a starter there too.
I thought Tremaine Edmunds was a predictable FA bust. Never really liked him in Buffalo either. He's like Devin White to me, a fast guy, who really isn't a good player. He's probably better than White at least. TJ Edwards on the other hand was a predictably great FA signing. I also really like Jack Sanborn, and think he's a very good #3 LB.
Jaylon Johnson made the leap from solid prospect with iffy returns to elite CB this season. Re-signing him should (and likely will) be priority #1. I thought Kyler Gordon made a slight leap as a full-time slot CB. I also thought the 2 rookies (Tyrique Stevenson and Terrelle Smith) showed some promise. Can never have too many CBs so if the price is right in FA or the draft I can see adding a guy, but I don't really see it as a need as long as Johnson stays.
Eddie Jackson had a nice rebound season in 2022, but seemed to regress again in 2023. He's not worth anywhere near his salary. He's almost as easy a cut as Whitehair. I think Brisker is solid as one starter, though I do wonder if he might top out at just being solid. This is a need.
I'm probably in the minority, but I agree with keeping Eberflus. I like the way the defense gelled down the stretch, and I think the 4 win improvement is promising. I fully agreed with firing Getsy who I thought was the latest in a long line of coaches who got their job because they coached an elite player (Rodgers) and not because they brought anything to the table. I love the Shane Waldron hire, he was my favorite choice of guys they interviewed. Frankly, I think Seattle made a big mistake letting him go (and moving on from Carroll for that matter) I think he did a very good job with Geno Smith, and I think he's a good fit regardless of if they stick with Fields or draft Williams.