Projecting the Bears' 2024 starting offense following minicamp (2024)

The Caleb Williams era has officially begun in Chicago, and the No. 1 overall pick will be tasked with starting immediately as a rookie. Williams is a potential generational prospect who’s entering arguably the best situation for a No. 1 pick quarterback ever, so he’ll be set up for success as a rookie. Williams has already gotten started on building a rapport with his teammates and learning Shane Waldron’s offense, which is what happens when a team knew you were going to be the guy weeks before the NFL draft.

Chicago added a dynamic running back in Swift in free agency, and he’ll serve as the new starting running back in Shane Waldron’s offense. Swift joins a running back group that also features Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson, giving the Bears a nice complement of backs with unique skillsets. Swift is coming off a career year, where he rushed for 1,000-plus yards, and he also gives Chicago a receiving threat out of the backfield.

There’s no disputing who’s WR1, as Moore is the most reliable passing catching option on the roster. Moore is coming off a career year, where he totaled 96 catches, 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s a playmaker in every sense, and he’ll be key to Caleb Williams’ rookie success. Moore has quickly developed chemistry with Williams, and the pair will be key to the offense’s success.

The Bears made a splash trading for Allen during the first wave of free agency, which addressed a huge hole at receiver. Allen is a six-time Pro Bowler who’s consistently been one of the NFL’s best wideouts — and now he teams up with Moore. Allen is coming off a 1,000-yard season, where he played just 13 games in 2023. Allen has just one year left on his current contract, so we’ll see if he factors into the team’s long-term plans down the line.

While Chicago already had a star receiver duo in Moore and Allen, that didn’t stop them from landing an elite wideout in Odunze. In any other draft, Odunze would’ve been the top wideout in this class — and he very well might wind up being that. He’ll get the chance to learn from two of the best in Moore and Allen while cultivating his relationship with fellow rookie Williams. Poles said nothing was going to stop him from selecting Odunze at ninth overall.

After signing a four-year contract extension, Kmet went on to have his best season with the Bears. He emerged as a true threat in the passing game, setting career highs with 73 catches for 719 yards while adding six touchdowns. He’ll again be a focal point in 2024. And he’ll work with a new face that will serve as the perfect complement to his skillset: Gerald Everett, who signed with the team this offseason.

Jones, a former fifth-round pick, has been a solid left tackle for the Bears during his first two seasons. After Chicago didn’t use a first-round pick on a tackle, Jones is still on track to be the starter once again in 2024 — although the pressure is on. The Bears drafted Kiran Amegadjie in the third round, and he could potentially push Jones for the job down the line.

Jenkins has been the Bears’ best offensive lineman for the past couple of seasons, and hopefully he won’t have to make a position switch for the third straight year. Jenkins has been solid both at left guard and right guard, where his only issue has been staying healthy. He’s still yet to play an entire season, which could very well explain the Ryan Bates trade, as the team looks to lock down a key reserve.

There will be competition at center between newcomers Shelton and Bates. Right now, the edge goes to Shelton, who was the starting center for the Rams over the past two years. It will certainly be a close battle between Shelton and Bates, but Shelton’s experience is why I have him penciled in as the starting center.

Davis signed with the Bears last offseason, where he was expected to shore up the right guard position. But due to personal matters and later injury, Davis was never able to really settle into his role and notably struggled. Following minicamp, there are questions about the right guard position. While Matt Eberflus expects Davis to be the starting right guard, he didn’t sound entirely confident, which suggests there could be some competition.

Wright was Chicago’s top draft pick last year, and he more than lived up to the hype. Wright had an impressive rookie year, where he was the only offensive lineman to play in every game last season and showed plenty of promise. While Wright did have his rookie moments, he showed solid development and the potential to be a franchise right tackle for the Bears.