In the lead-up to the fall of 1986, those following the defending Super Bowl champion Bears wondered not just whether this franchise could repeat its title but rather how many more would there be. 

But for a cruel twist of fate locally, the Bears haven’t lifted the Lombardi Trophy since that fabled day in January of 1986. In those years and eras since, Chicago has struggled to see sustained success – new coaches, general managers and quarterbacks in and out of town without building a lasting winner. 

As the Bears prepare to report for training camp next Friday at Halas Hall and begin work for this anticipated new season, there are genuine hopes of lasting success to come.  

Though these last two rebuilding seasons were filled with growing pains and great struggles, the Bears have entered 2024 with hopes of becoming a contender – perhaps for many years to come. Ryan Poles, now in his third year leading this plan as general manager, was able to successfully overhaul the roster he inherited and reload with talent without jeopardizing the salary cap. What that means is that Chicago is positioned well to “take the North and never give it back,” as Poles famously said when he was introduced in January of 2022.  

Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, will ultimately decide what comes of this era in Chicago. His arrival to the Bears was the grand payoff for these two rebuilding seasons, and it even took a twist of good fortunes from Carolina to bring this all to fruition. 

Williams, 22, is the type of prized quarterback prodigy that the Bears have long coveted. He is the great hope for a franchise that has never seen a transcendent star at the most important position in sports.  

The Bears wasted no time in naming Williams as their starting quarterback once he arrived in late April, meaning there would be no unnecessary “quarterback battle” and no awkward transition from a stopgap starter. Chicago doesn’t have to wait out a Mike Glennon or Andy Dalton this time around.  

This season is all about Williams, whose talent and makeup have allowed him to reach this point. While expectations should fairly be tempered for Williams’ rookie season, he certainly has what it takes to lead the Bears to the postseason. More so, this team around him is built to win right away. 

Williams will work with a stacked supporting cast on offense that includes targets DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, a versatile tight end in Cole Kmet, dynamic running back D’Andre Swift, plus an offensive line that should be much improved with a quarterback who makes quick decisions.  

That Bears offense will be tested in training camp by a defense that boasts hopes of becoming a true top-five unit in the NFL this season. Given the rise of this unit late last season, those goals are legitimate. Pro Bowl stars like Montez Sweat and Jaylon Johnson, plus key roles players such as Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Tyrique Stevenson, Jaquan Brisker and Gervon Dexter Sr., lead a group that should be stout this season. 

Now, there’s greater pressure on the shoulders of Matt Eberflus, who must prove his place as the Bears’ head coach this season while leading a team with greater aspirations. 

All of the intrigue surrounding this Bears team will go before the cameras, microphones and unique storylines of HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ series, which will document the entire training camp in Lake Forest. It’s yet another fascinating element in play and a reminder of this franchise’s newfound relevancy. 

Once the Bears check in at Halas Hall next Friday, they will be walking into a season of significant hopes. Sure, there are not exactly Super Bowl demands in place, but this team must take a considerable step towards that.  

Chicago has longed to find sustained success, and this could be just the start. So begins one of the most compelling seasons and promising eras for this Bears franchise.