Fans Seeing the 2024 Bears Through Rose-Colored Glasses

I think you're going to win that bet.  But if we do go the "under" and win fewer games it will be due to the line play being the Achilles heel of the team.  But I'm hoping both the OL and DL are going to get it done this year.  We should know what we have in this year's OL by the end of the Tennessee game.  TN has a really good DL that will try to get to Caleb - and at least pressure him to the point the offense struggles.  It will be interesting to watch how Shane Waldron prepares for this.  He knows this is coming.  The no-brainer is to run the ball effectively... but if the OL struggles to run block (as they did in the preseason at times) that turns the game into a passing game and nothing good will come of that if the OL struggles to protect Caleb.  

But - if the DL and OL are solid in this game and this season, then it will be a very very good year and you will easily win your bet.  

Bears have so much talent at the skilled positions QB,WR,RB, that this OL will be good enough, if there isn’t a wave of injuries. My 10-12 wins prediction assumes that doesn’t happen. If it does, then we still win 9 if CW is healthy. There are enough weak teams on the schedule this year to pull that off, thanks to our 7-win season last year.

I hope you are right, and you could definitely be right.  Personally I hope the DL and OL can be at least average this year.  As you point out, we have a lot of talent (on defense as well as offense) that can perform well, even with average line play.  There is no guarantee that either line will BE average this year... we hope they both will be.  And something to consider is that we are not playing those 2023 "weak" teams this year.  Just as the Bears improved, they probably all have too.  Tennessee is a good example.  Believe me.  They won't be a weak team on Sunday that rolls over for us.  In particular if our OL is below average that DL for the Titans will shut down our offense.  It could even be a butt ugly day for Caleb and crew.  I hope that is NOT the case though.  It's always about "hope" and the "OL" isn't it?  

EDIT:  I meant to mention this a few days ago.  Tom Thayer basically called out Braxton Jones for not getting better/stronger via putting in the work in the weight room.  He made it sound like he is not stronger as we hoped.  If that is the case then it's going to be a long season (again) of Brax getting killed with the bull rush.

In 2025, we have four picks in the first three rounds including two in the second. Given that replacing Jenkins with a draft pick is worth $10M+ in cap savings and Braxton Jones is a solid $15M or more given that he's a LT, it would not surprise me if three or all four were linemen in one shape or form.

Would you rather have:

1) Jenkins and Jones
2) $25M to $35M in cap space

Knowing that both of them could be replaced with high grade prospects?