Chicago Bears

2021 Record: 0-0

After sneaking into the playoffs with an 8-8 record last season, the Bears face a tough task to reach for the postseason for the third time in four seasons under coach Matt Nagy.

However the 2021 season pans out for the Bears, they will be doing things with a new starting quarterback. Former #2 overall draft pick Mitchell Trubisky was 29-21 as a starter in Chicago and led the team to the playoffs twice, including last season when he returned to his starting role late in the season after being benched for Nick Foles early on. But he is now Josh Allen’s backup in Buffalo, and former Ohio State star Justin Fields, the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, is the quarterback of the future. The quarterback of the present, however, is former Bengals and Cowboys starter Andy Dalton, who will be tasked with keeping the seat warm for Fields and running a steady ship in the meantime.

Defense, as has historically been the case for the Bears, will be counted on heavily. The front seven will be expected to wreak a lot of havoc, led by veteran pass rusher Khalil Mack and tackle machine Roquan Smith.

Defense may win championships, and the Bears have a lot of talent on that side of the ball. But oddsmakers don’t view their chances too favorably. NFL futures odds place the Bears third behind the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North, and +200 odds to make the playoffs indicate that there is not a great deal of hope that the Bears have what it takes to beat out other playoff hopefuls in the NFC.

Chicago Bears 2021 Schedule

Sunday, September 26, 2021: at Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX

Sunday, October 3, 2021: vs Detroit Lions, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX

Sunday, October 10, 2021: at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS

Sunday, October 17, 2021: vs Green Bay Packers, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX

Sunday, October 24, 2021: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

Sunday, October 31, 2021: vs San Francisco 49ers, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX

Monday, November 8, 2021: at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

BYE WEEK

Sunday, November 21, 2021: vs Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

Sunday, December 5, 2021: vs Arizona Cardinals, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX

Sunday, December 12, 2021: at Green Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

Monday, December 20, 2021: vs Minnesota Vikings, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN