Chicago Bears 2024-25 NFL Season Recap

Chicago Bears 2024-25 NFL Season Recap

By drafting Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in last year’s NFL Draft and pairing him with Rome Odunze at No. 9, optimism was high for the Chicago Bears entering the 2024-25 NFL betting season. It’s exhilarating 24-17 comeback win over the Tennessee Titans—aided by defensive and special teams play—in the season opener only helped fan the flames and demand Bears fans take in multiple servings of the Kool-Aid. Reality settled in over the next two weeks after dropping back-to-back road games against the AFC South rep Texans and Colts, but the then Matt Eberflus-led Bears would rattle off three straight wins and NFL spread covers against the Rams, Panthers, and Jaguars to head into their Week 7 bye 4-2 straight up (SU) and 5-1 against the spread (ATS). Looking back on that hot start, only two of the six faced teams ultimately went on to punch tickets to the second season. The season would then take a dramatic turn for the worst coming out of it.

As I type this, Bears fans are still left wondering how the season would’ve played out had Jayden Daniels’ Hail Mary prayer not been answered by the football gods in Week 8. Unfortunately, it was and the campaign snowballed in a downward spiral immediately after with Chicago going on to lose six straight games before Ryan Poles handed “Flus” his pink slip paving the way for Thomas Brown—who was recently given OC duties after Shane Waldron was fired—to show off his head coaching chops. The results weren’t pretty with the Bears going 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS under his leadership with the lone win coming in a dramatic fashion in Week 18 when Chicago went into Lambeau and finally put an end to their 11-game losing streak to their hated rivals. As memorable the win over the Packers will be for Bears fans, 2024-25 was once again an unmitigated disaster for the franchise leaving it in flux entering the offseason.

No quarterback was sacked more than Williams over the course of the regular season. If upper management wants their prized possession to actually live up to his draft stock, the front office better make it a point to surround him with some competent hogs that know a thing or two about keeping opposing pass rushers off their QB1. If not, it will be the same old song and dance in the Windy City. On top of bringing in an influx of offensive line talent, it wouldn’t hurt to bring in some run stuffers on the other side of the ball considering the Bears run defense proved to be one of the worst of all 32 teams (No. 28). Most important however will be the hiring of the new head coach. The position has been nothing if not a carousel since Lovie Smith was unceremoniously shown the door following the 2012 season. Mark Trestman, John Fox, Matt Nagy, and Matt Eberflus held their respective position’s for three years on average. That simply doesn’t cut it for one of the founding fathers of the NFL! The new guy best not be another stop gap—Bears fans are getting sick and tired of the revolving door at Halas Hall!

Chicago Bears Week 18 Recap

The Chicago Bears snapped an 11-game losing streak against the Green Bay Packers with a dramatic 24-22 outright win at Lambeau Field in Week 18, securing their first victory in the rivalry since 2018. Caleb Williams, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick, completed 21 of 29 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown to DJ Moore, who finished with nine catches for 86 yards. Williams orchestrated a final drive to set up Cairo Santos’ game-winning 51-yard field goal as time expired. The Bears showcased creativity, taking a 7-3 first-quarter lead with a trick-play punt return that should have Bears fans smiling throughout the offseason watching it on replay over and over again. DJ Moore acted as a decoy, drawing Packers coverage, while Josh Blackwell raced 94 yards for a touchdown. Despite being outgained 87 to -4 in the first quarter, Chicago led regardless of failing to log a single offensive yard—a feat last achieved in 1994. Santos redeemed himself after a blocked field goal cost Chicago a win against Green Bay earlier in the season. The Bears' defense forced a crucial turnover, recovering a fumble by Malik Willis, who replaced injured Packers QB Jordan Love. A horse-collar penalty on Kingsley Enagbare further aided Chicago’s decisive final drive. Interim coach Thomas Brown praised the team’s resilience, as the Bears ended a tumultuous NFL betting season with a much-needed win, building optimism for what lies ahead in the offseason.

2024 Chicago Bears Schedule, Results & Record

The Chicago Bears are one of the NFL’s founding franchises, established in 1920 by George Halas. The team boasts eight NFL championships and one Super Bowl victory. Halas himself coached the Bears through most of their seasons until 1967, securing those eight NFL titles. The legendary 1985 Bears Super Bowl championship team was led by head coach Mike Ditka, a former player under Halas. The team is currently owned by Virginia Halas McCaskey, George Halas' daughter, who is 99 years old.

Despite their rich history, the Bears have often frustrated their fans. Since 1991, the team has only made the playoffs seven times, with their sole Super Bowl appearance in that period occurring in the 2006-07 season when they lost to the Indianapolis Colts.

Known as the “Monsters of the Midway” for their tradition of physical football and strong defense, the Bears have struggled defensively in recent years. This has been a common issue for much of the past two decades.

The 1985 Bears team is considered one of the greatest in NFL history, finishing with a 15-1 record and a dominant Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots. That season, Chicago’s defense was historically powerful, overwhelming opponents like no other team had before.

Mike Ditka, the coach of that iconic team, remains the most popular figure in the franchise’s history. However, many believe the Bears underachieved in that era, failing to win more championships due to a lack of sustained drive and discipline after their 1985 success. Since then, the Bears have not been serious Super Bowl contenders. The hope is that the Caleb Williams era will bring a significant change to this narrative and restore the Bears to championship contention.

Chicago Bears Past Seasons (2000)

Access live betting lines and NFL Betting Lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform.