The NFL offseason is now in a transitional state. Free agency has evolved from “THAT guy went THERE?!?” to “That guy’s still out there?”. The 2024 NFL Draft has concluded with all 257 picks, and report cards are now available. As the Northern Hemisphere transitions from spring to summer, the football world turns from roster construction to…
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Yes, with the 2024 schedule announcement seemingly close — Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay admitted that he caught the scent on Tuesday — we’re entering an annual time of misinformation. Over the next few months, there will be no games, few roster moves, and the football news cycle will be rather peaceful. But what about the takeaways? Oh, those babies will erupt in anger. And, with every team looking forward to the fresh start that a new season brings, there is a sense of optimism throughout the league.
Long story short: Bandwagons are forming, people. Which ones will provide the most pleasurable ride? That’s what I’m hoping to highlight today. Here are 11 bandwagons — of the player, coach, and team kind — that you should jump on now.
This isn’t only about Caleb Williams, though that’s a good place to start. As a raw football thrower, the first overall pick has every club in the bag. That is why he has drawn similarities to Patrick Mahomes. But the question is how deftly he’ll be able to deploy — and, at times, control — his explosive arsenal. That’s what makes Mahomes so unique these days: his ability to transition from gunslinger to game manager based on the situation. Caleb will need time to master this complexity of the position, but Chicago’s offensive supporting cast may help speed up the process.
Williams is surrounded by versatile players at running back (D’Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert), receiver (DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and fellow top-10 rookie Rome Odunze), and tight end (Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett). The offensive line is more of a question mark, but there is cause for optimism. LT Braxton Jones, LG Teven Jenkins, and RG Nate Davis all missed at least one month of activity last season due to injuries. With better health luck — and a potential upgrade at the pivot in trade acquisition Ryan Bates — Chicago’s young offensive line could blossom in 2024 under new coordinator Shane Waldron, who is no stranger to inexperience and injuries up front, having dealt with both in his previous three years as Seattle’s offensive coordinator.
Defensively, the Bears really gained their groove in the second half of last season, which is most likely why head coach Matt Eberflus is still in charge today despite a 10-24 record. And the primary catalyst for that revolt looks to have been GM Ryan Poles’ astute trade-deadline purchase of defensive end Montez Sweat. When the move was made, Chicago was rated 28th in scoring defense (27.3 points per game) and 23rd in total defense (341 yards per game). From that time until the end of the regular season, Chicago was sixth in scoring defense (17.9 ppg) and tenth in total defense (309.2 ypg). With the majority of the band back together for the upcoming season, Eberflus & Co. should have another strong defense.
What’s preventing me from forecasting that Williams and the Bears will go from worst to first, as the C.J. Stroud-led Texans did? The division. Last season, the AFC South was up for grabs. In 2024, the NFC North could be the finest division in football.
