2024 NFL Schedule Release: Takeaways about the Chicago Bears’ Upcoming Season

The 2024 NFL schedule finally hit the presses on Wednesday night. Although fans knew who their favorite teams would be playing, they didn’t know the order or which games would be nationally televised. For the Chicago Bears, a hopeful offseason now gets a roadmap for success. That journey starts at home in Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans and wraps up at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers in Week 18.

After an exhilarating offseason, can the Bears finally turn the corner and experience sustained success? That’s the biggest question facing a third-year regime that feels ready to win. While Super Bowl expectations might be a bit too lofty in 2024, there’s no reason why Chicago can’t make the playoffs. Their (.467) strength-of-schedule ranks third lowest of all teams. The 19,558 flight miles they’ll travel come in at the 15th highest.

The Bears won’t play their first divisional game until Week 11. The Pittsburgh Steelers are the only other team in the league facing similar circumstances. Chicago’s first 10 games rank as the “easiest” schedule in the league. On top of that, the Bears will play three early home games in a row, followed by three tough road games later in the season. On paper, there are multiple soft areas but the back half might be a grind. So, what does all of this mean? Without games being played for another three months, let’s take a deeper dive into each game on the schedule and how things could play out.

Week 1: Vs Tennessee Titans (Soldier Field)

Despite plenty of speculation pointing toward a primetime spotlight in Week 1 for quarterback Caleb Williams, the NFL decided to give him a week to step into the infancy of his professional career. The Titans finished (6-11) last year but saw many big losses during the offseason. Those included both head coach Mike Vrabel and running back Derrick Henry. General manager Ran Carthon was busy this offseason as he turned over a good portion of his roster. That included the big additions of Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, L’Jarius Sneed, and Lloyd Cushenberry. This Tennessee roster has improved without question but it could take some time for this group to gel.

Reasons for optimism: On paper, the Bears are a better team. Their core is more established, and many of Tennessee’s weaknesses are areas where Chicago is strong. This shouldn’t be a game that any fan looks over, but it is also a contest most should expect to win. The Titans are going into a new era, and while Carthon made moves to win now, it’s going to take this turned-over roster some time to become cohesive.

Reasons for worry: The Titans’ defensive line is chalked full of talent. Along with Jeffery Simmons, Harold Landry, and Arden Key. They did lose Denico Autry but this is still a talented group up front. Tennessee’s passing offense is also stacked with options. Couple that with an improved offensive line and this could be a close matchup.

All-Time Record: (6-7-0)

Far too early prediction: Bears win. (1-0)

Week 2: At Houston Texans (NRG Field) on Sunday Night Football

You won’t have to wait long for the Bears’ first primetime performance. In Week 2, they’ll head to Houston where they’ll face a Texans team that most believe will be a dark horse to win the AFC in 2024. Second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud was outstanding as a rookie. Their offensive line remains the same and they added Stefon Diggs in a trade with Buffalo. Defensively, they added plenty of horsepower up front with Danielle Hunter, Autry, and Will Anderson returning for his second season. Their secondary isn’t quite as proven but as a package, this is a well-rounded team with plenty of top-end talent.

Reasons for optimism: While the Texans should be a good team in 2024, they don’t have a perfect roster and had a few let-down games last year. They’ve been known to start seasons slow and the Bears defense should challenge Stroud. Their secondary should match up well against any team. Their offense should be able to score points, especially if they can keep the quarterback clean. I’d expect a high-scoring affair.

Reasons for worry: Despite Chicago being a much-improved team, this is a tall task in Week 2. Houston will be hosting their home opener and expectations will be high. Their offensive skill players rival what the Bears have. Their quarterback is ascending and their offensive line is a Top 7-10 unit. Defensively, their front four could give the Bears’ offensive line some fits. Head coach Demeco Ryans could have a field day facing a rookie quarterback in his second start.

All-Time Record: (2-4-0)

Far too early prediction: Bears lose. (1-1)

Week 3: At Indianapolis Colts (Lucas Oil Stadium)

Back-to-back road games against a pair of ascending teams is never an ideal scenario for a young team at the start of a new season. Yet, that’s exactly what the Bears will be facing in September. The Colts are a bit of an unknown, despite finishing last year at (9-8). The biggest reason? Their second-year quarterback had an injury-shortened rookie campaign. Anthony Richardson looked promising but missed the bulk of his rookie season with a shoulder injury. Garnder Minshew did a great job of keeping them in the race but their ceiling was always limited last year. In 2024, they’ll look to build off of a positive 2023 and should pose a daunting task for any team playing them.

Reasons for optimism: Richardson might be going into Year 2 but his on-the-field experience level is not much more than Williams’s due to last year’s injury. Chicago’s defense should be able to confuse the young quarterback and keep the Colts’ offense in check. For the Bears’ offense, there’s no shortage of ways to attack the Colts’ defense. They don’t have a ton of horses up front and that could be an area that offensive coordinator Shane Waldron looks to expose.

Reasons for worry: Similar to the Texans, the Colts appear to be a team on the rise. While Richardson is not as proven as Stroud, Indianapolis’ offense still poses multiple risks for even the best of defenses, especially with head coach Shane Steichen calling plays. There will be plenty of unknowns with the Colts, but this will not be an easy game for the Bears to win.

All-Time Record: (19-25-0)

Far too early prediction: Bears win. (2-1)

Week 4: Vs Los Angeles Rams (Soldier Field)

This will be the Bears’ fifth meeting with the Rams since 2018. These teams know each other well and this should be a closely contested game. That’s the first time that we can say that since their (12-4) campaign in 2018. The Rams came back from the dead last season and a big reason for that was the health of quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Rams have a good offense but will have to contend with replacing All-World defensive tackle Aaron Donald, following his retirement. The Rams might not compete for the division but this could be a big game for the Wild Card standings when all is said and done.

Reasons for optimism: The Rams are a good team, but they are beatable. Their pass rush won’t be the same with Donald gone, and their secondary has been pieced together over the past two offseasons. The Bears’ offense should be able to score some points and protect Williams. That’s usually a recipe for a team to at least be able to hang in games, especially at home.

Reasons for worry: The Rams are a well-coached team with plenty of veterans to help fill the void of Donald. More importantly, they have an explosive offense with plenty of playmakers. This game likely turns into a shootout and in these scenarios, it’s hard not to side with the offensive-minded head coach who isn’t afraid to be aggressive.

All-Time Record: (53-38-3)

Far too early prediction: Bears lose. (2-2)

Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Week 5: Vs Carolina Panthers (Soldier Field)

From the national audience’s perspective, this isn’t likely going to be a matchup that grabs much attention. For both of these fan bases, this is the Bryce Young Bowl. Everyone knows the haul Carolina gave up for the No. 1 overall pick and what the Bears have received in return for that deal. The two franchises also appear to be headed in different directions. A win for the Bears would signal even more good vibes, while a Carolina victory could give their fans some sort of closure on the trade that is just over a year old. Either way, this will be a game each group has circled on their calendar.

Reasons for optimism: It’s hard to imagine many areas where the Panthers are better than the Bears. In total, Chicago has a much better defense, much better receivers, and, very likely, the better quarterback. On paper, this looks like an easy win for Chicago. Luckily for Carolina, games aren’t played on paper. All signs point to this being another feather in the Bears’ cap.

Reasons for worry: With new head coach Dave Canales at the helm, it’s not hard to imagine a scenario where the Panthers’ offense is drastically improved. There’s a strong chance that Carolina won’t be good in 2024 but it’s also hard to envision many scenarios where they’ll be as bad as they were in 2023. In short, Carolina could feel a little extra motivation to keep this one close and pull out the upset.

All-Time Record: (8-4-0)

Far too early prediction: Bears win. (3-2)

Week 6: Vs Jacksonville Jaguars (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)

The battle of former No. 1 overall picks (and generational quarterback prospects) will happen in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This will be the first of back-to-back games in London for the Jaguars. For Chicago, this trip will follow a bye week. This is their earliest bye week in recent memory. On paper, this is a pretty even-matched affair. The Jaguars were overwhelming favorites for the AFC South last year but missed the playoffs after a late-season collapse. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence needs to take a big step forward in his contract year. Overall, this should be an interesting matchup but the edge might go to the Jaguars due to their familiarity with playing overseas.

Reasons for optimism: As I noted above, this is an evenly matched game on paper. The Jaguars have a talented team but did not live up to expectations in 2023. Chicago matches up well and should find offensive success. Defensively, they should be able to handle the Jaguars’ weapons. In the States, I would probably give the edge to the Bears, but acclimating to this type of travel will not be easy. Even so, it should be a close game and Chicago will have a shot.

Reasons for worry: Long travel and playing in unfamiliar territory will not be easy. Despite the Bears being labeled as the “home team”, you can expect a heavily influenced Jaguars crowd. As we’ve seen, these London games rarely go as planned and usually get off to slow starts.

All-Time Record: (5-3-0)

Far too early prediction: Bears lose. (3-3)

Week 7: Bye Week

Week 8: At Washington Commanders (FedEx Field)

The battle of the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks will happen in Week 8. Part of me thought this might end up a prime-time game but it’s also to see why no network wanted to take the risk. Especially halfway through the season. Chicago will be coming out of their bye week, while Washington will be coming off a Week 7 matchup against Carolina. Chicago has a considerably better team but this will be a compelling matchup, regardless of each team’s record.

Reasons for optimism: Again, the Bears are a much better team on paper. There’s not much that Washington can offer them that they aren’t better at. With that being said, it’s still a football game, and anything can happen. Dan Quinn should have this defense playing better than last year’s meeting, but Washington’s offensive line is a mess. This could be a big game for the Bears’ defense.

Reasons for worry: Even if the Bears lose, expect a close game. The worst-case scenario would be Jayden Daniels severely outplaying Williams. Not that it means a whole lot long-term but that would be a narrative hanging over the Bears that no fan wants to deal with. Outside of that, there’s not a whole lot to fear here.

All-Time Record: (25-27-1)

Far too early prediction: Bears win. (4-3)

Week 9: At Arizona Cardinals (State Farm Field)

This will be yet another re-match from the 2023 season, where Chicago thoroughly dominated their prior meeting. The Bears could not control that Marvin Harrison Jr. went five picks in front of their second pick but this will give fans a glimpse into the early career of the star receiver. It’ll also serve as a good touch point when comparing Harrison to Rome Odunze. This is yet another game where the Bears should be favorites because they are a better team in most areas of their roster. It’ll be interesting to see how much better quarterback Kyler Murray looks after a fully healthy offseason.

Reasons for optimism: Just compare the two rosters and tell me you don’t have a warm and fuzzy about this game. Chicago has a better roster and is much further along in their rebuild. Arizona is well on its way to building a better team but the Bears are further along. If they could blow them out last year, I don’t see why they can’t do it again this year. For as much as Arizona improved, the Bears did it 10-fold.

Reasons for worry: In a stretch of favorable games, the only real worry here should be complacency. If the Bears are going to make a run at the playoffs, winning this stretch of three games could be critical. Arizona’s offense should be better but their defense still lacks a lot of teeth. This will be another litmus test when it comes to quarterbacks. This time, we’ll be comparing a pair of Lincoln Riley products against each other.

All-Time Record: (58-29-6)

Far too early prediction: Bears win. (5-3)

Week 10: Vs New England Patriots (Soldier Field)

The three-game stretch of favorable games ends at home with a New England Patriots team that could be starting Drake Maye by this point in the season. For full disclosure, I had Maye as my QB2 in this class, so I’m hoping to get to see him and Williams square off against each other. New England’s defense could pose some problems, but as a whole, the Bears are, once again, a better team on paper. I expect the Patriots offense to struggle for most of the year. Their offensive line is questionable and their receiving targets are largely unproven. The post-Bill Belichick era will start but it might not start smoothly in Year 1.

Reasons for optimism: Most of the Patriots’ areas are weaknesses that match up with the Bears’ strengths. This should be a good game for the Bears’ defensive line and as a whole, I’m not sure New England’s offense can consistently move the ball against them. Offensively, it might be a bit more challenging but I’m not sold that the Patriot defense will be as good without Belichick at the helm.

Reasons for worry: If there’s one area where the Patriots could have an advantage, it’ll be in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. New England’s pass rush wasn’t healthy last year and it caused them some issues. Assuming they can stay on the field, this will be one of the better defensive fronts the Bears’ offense faces in 2024.

All-Time Record: (5-10-0)

Far too early prediction: Bears win. (6-3)

Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images

Week 11: Vs Green Bay Packers (Soldier Field)

Disappointment might not hit Chicago as early this year as it has in the past. At this point, I’m not going to believe the Bears will beat the Packers until they can do it consistently. It’s been over half a decade since their last win against the most hated rival. Green Bay’s rebuild was short-lived and it appears they’ve found their third franchise quarterback in as many tries. We can all hope that Williams will usher in a new era to this rivalry but again, we said the same about Mitch Trubisky and Justin Fields. Both quarterbacks had just one combined win against them over seven seasons.

Reasons for optimism: Caleb Williams and a more talented roster. Last year, it was “Aaron Rodgers is no longer here to hurt us!” Now, it’s all about what the Bears have done to make themselves competitive with the Packers. On paper, their offensive skill position players are better, and their defensive talent is comparable. That’s about all I’ve got right now.

Reasons for worry: It’s the Packers. The Chicago Bears beating the Green Bay Packers hasn’t been a line that many of us have been able to utter many times over the past three decades. Can that change? Absolutely but until it does, it’s easy to take a guarded approach to this rivalry.

All-Time Record: (95-107-6)

Far too early prediction: Bears lose (6-4)

Week 12: Vs Minnesota Vikings (Soldier Field)

It’s wild to think about the Bears’ first and second divisional games not coming until Week 11 and Week 12, yet here we are. The Pittsburgh Steelers are the only other team in the league that doesn’t face a divisional opponent until 10 (or after). For the Vikings, they’re going through a transitional period. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Ryan Poles were hired in the same season. Poles chose to rip the bandage off during his first offseason, while KAM decided to limp things along for a few extra seasons. In the end, the Vikings have held a better record in the last two seasons and made the playoffs once but neither team has a playoff victory to their name in that time. Now, the Vikings find themselves transitioning to a rookie quarterback. The biggest difference is that one of them was taken with the first pick and the other was the fifth quarterback off the board in April’s draft.

Minnesota still has talent, but they’ve chosen to re-tool on the fly instead of making a clean break. Only time will tell which approach bears more fruit but it’s not hard to argue that Chicago has a better team and brighter future.

Reasons for optimism: For the first time in a while, the Bears should have the better quarterback (and overall offense). Minnesota is transitioning to a new look and Chicago is at the end stages of their extensive rebuild. Frankly, they were pretty evenly matched last season and the tables have turned this offseason. Chicago has historically handled the Vikings pretty well over the last decade and there’s no reason to believe that can’t continue.

Reasons for worry: Divisional games are always a crap shoot. Well, unless it’s the Bears and Packers. Most of these games are decided by a big mistake or late score. I expect these matchups to be no different. Brian Flores runs a tricky defense that could give a rookie quarterback fits. Expect hard-fought contests in both matchups.

All-Time Record: (58-66-2)

Far too early prediction: Bears win. (7-4)

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Week 13: At Detroit Lions (Ford Field) on Thanksgiving

After a few years off from the Thanksgiving festivities, the matchup is back and dare I say, better than ever…? The Lions have finally turned it around. Gone are the days of saying “It’s just the Lions.” because this team has built something sustainable. There’s no telling how high the ceiling is but they believe Jared Goff is their long-term answer at quarterback. The good news for him: They kept offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for another season. Detroit could very well be a Super Bowl contender but the Bears have largely dominated these matchups in recent memory. They were a better four minutes away from sweeping them last year, which is impressive considering the talent disparity between the two teams in 2023.

Reasons for optimism: Any time you dominate a team for all but four minutes in two combined meetings, you’ve got to feel pretty good about the matchup. Add to the fact that the Bears are a better team in 2024 (again, on paper) and it’s easy to feel good about a split. For some reason, Chicago just matches up well against the Lions. Regardless of where each team is at in a given season.

Reasons for worry: Any time you’re facing the defending division champions, it’s easy to have some reservations. The Lions are good. Quite possibly, really good. To just assume that the Bears will have a similar outcome as last year would be a fool’s errand. The Lions should not be taken lightly and a split in the season series is needed for any viable playoff aspirations.

All-Time Record: (105-78-5)

Far too early prediction: Bears lose. (7-5)

Week 14: At San Francisco 49ers (Levi Stadium)

Outside of the Packers, this is arguably the Bears’ toughest matchup. Especially with it being on the road. The defending NFC Champs looked stacked and primed for another successful season. They’re stacked with talent and unless quarterback Brock Purdy takes a step back in Year 3, it’s hard not to see them in full-stride by the time the Bears head to Santa Clara. You’ll learn to never say never in the NFL but this would be the ultimate statement game for Chicago if they could pull it off.

Reasons for optimism: I’m not sure there are many reasons for optimism coming into this game but anything could happen. The 49ers aren’t unbeatable by any means but this is the type of game you’d expect them to win in a year or two. In Year 1 of their assumed competitive window, this is going to be a tough ask. All you can ask for is keeping the game close and having a chance to win at the end.

Reasons for worry: There are many in this type of matchup. The 49ers have a stacked offense. They can hurt you in every facet of the game. Defensively, they’ve got plenty of firepower but the Bears can stack up there. More than anything, this is a seasoned group of players with one of the better coaches in the game. Chicago having to go on the road this late in the season is a tough ask.

All-Time Record: (33-35-1)

Far too early prediction: Bears win. (7-6)

Week 15: At Minnesota Vikings (U.S. Bank Stadium) on Monday Night Football

See above.

Far too early prediction: Bears win. (8-6)

Week 16: Vs Detroit Lions (Soldier Field)

See above.

Far too early prediction: Bears win. (9-6)

Week 17: Vs Seattle Seahawks (Soldier Field) on Thursday Night Football

I can’t be the only one out there who is not sure of what proper expectations should be in Seattle, right? On paper, they are a solid team in a tough division. Them making the playoffs wouldn’t surprise me but neither would a six-win season. A lot of it hinges on the changes made this offseason when they let go of Pete Carroll and brought in defensive guru, Mike Macdonald. Geno Smith is another question mark. He wasn’t nearly as effective in Year 2 of his late-career resurgence and now he’ll be in a brand new offense. There are a lot of unanswered questions, even if the talent in there.

Reasons for optimism: The Seahawks away from home are a different team. Even in Seattle, I think the Bears would stand a good chance. At Soldier Field, this game tilts in their favor. Again, maybe I end up being wrong about Seattle but I don’t see a playoff team on the surface. Chicago’s offense should be able to score against a patchwork Seahawks defense. Seattle has a quality offense but nothing that gives me concerns going against Matt Eberflus’ defense.

Reasons for worry: The unknown is a big factor with the Seahawks. Again, nothing would surprise me with this team. I don’t think they win the division but they could very well be competing with Chicago for a playoff spot. A lot will be learned about them by the time they face off on Thursday night, though.

All-Time Record: (8-11-0)

Far too early prediction: Bears win. (10-6)

Week 18: At Green Bay Packers (Lambeau Field)

See above.

Far too early prediction: Bears lose. (10-7)

We’ll have plenty more schedule analysis in the coming days here at WCG and on our podcast/video channel, 2nd City Gridiron.