Chicago Bears: What to watch for in Week 1 vs San Francisco 49ers
Well, it is finally here! The Chicago Bears begin their 2022 campaign. All the talk is over and now we finally get to see what the team looks like once the real games begin. In Week 1, the Bears host the San Francisco 49ers. They faced each other at Soldier Field last year. It was a close game until the Niners pulled away late.
This is a different year with different rosters. The Bears are starting another rebuild while the Niners have a new starting quarterback. Jimmy Garoppolo started last year’s game. However, he is the backup for Trey Lance.
New GM Ryan Poles has transformed the Chicago Bears’ roster
The Bears turned from one of the oldest teams in the NFL last season to one of the youngest. They have 22 players who are rookies or second-year players. If you add the three-year players the number rises to 28.
Wins and losses aren’t what this season is about for the Bears. Seeing all the young players develop and take a step forward is what this season is about. General manager Ryan Poles needs to see which players he keeps when the rebuild goes into full force next season when he has the highest salary cap space available in the league.
Most analysts don’t expect Chicago to win very many games, A number of them only give them three wins at most. The Bears, however, want to prove them wrong. They are looking for some upset wins this season.
The first one could be this week. Both teams have some new pieces and they have to jell. Usually, it takes the offense takes a while to get to where it wants while the defense adjusts quicker.
That may be the case with the Bears. The defense, though, is a swarming unit now. During the preseason, we saw how everyone runs to the ball. When they do that, good things happen. If a ball carrier bobbles the ball or a pass is deflected, having multiple defenders on it raises the chances of a turnover. This is what the Chicago Bears defense wants.
Hopefully, we finally get to see a competent offense. We haven’t seen one in ages in Chicago. If the defense returns to form and the offense does well, this rebuild could be on the right path.
Here is what to watch for this week.