3 Chicago Bears who have to take the next step this season

The Bears want to get out of the NFC North basement in 2023. To achieve that goal, they need more from these three players. 

Expecting the Bears to become Super Bowl contenders in 2023 after finishing with a regular-season record of 3-14 is unreasonable. That doesn’t mean significant improvement can’t be made in Chicago this year. Matt Eberful has some interesting roster pieces to develop over the course of the next 12 months.

The organization added talent through the draft and a few clever free-agent signings. There’s still going to be a massive emphasis on internal improvement from players who return from last year’s disappointing campaign. The coaching staff’s ability to get career years out of some young veterans will go a long way toward determining this season’s win total.

The first player who needs to step up for Chicago is a receiver who is long on ability but short on maturity.

Bears that need to take the next step: 3. Chase Claypool

The news emanating from Chicago that the Bears are “unhappy” with Claypool before training camp begins is not encouraging. It’s even possible that the six-foot-four wide receiver could find himself cut before the regular season begins.

That would be a disaster scenario for the Bears given how much they gave up to acquire him. Claypool doesn’t need to be a superstar to help elevate this offense next year. If he turns into a reliable target for young quarterback Justin Fields it could go a long way towards securing his future in the Windy City.

What Claypool needs to work on most is consistency and reliability. Fields needs to be able to trust that he’ll run the right route and catch the routine throw. If he does that, he’s got a chance to solidify himself as a quality starter. If he fails to make that happen this season he could be on the free agent scrap heap next offseason.