The 2024-2025 PML season was one to forget for the Chicago Bears. A disappointing 6-11 record, accompanied by a bottom-tier performance on both sides of the ball, led to a major overhaul in the offseason. Fast forward to Week 13 of the 2025-2026 season, and the Bears have emerged as one of the league’s most surprising teams, boasting a 9-2 record and an offensive and defensive turnaround that has raised eyebrows across the league. However, given the drastic nature of this transformation, many are left wondering: did the Bears intentionally tank in 2024 in order to set up a future juggernaut? Let’s dive into the numbers, the changes, and the possibility that the Bears’ 2024 season was part of a calculated strategy for long-term success.
A Disastrous 2024 Season
The 2024 Bears finished with a 6-11 record, and much of their struggles can be attributed to both offensive and defensive inefficiencies. Offensively, the team averaged 29 points per game, but this was offset by 32 points allowed per game. Their offensive line was porous, allowing an astonishing 55 sacks, while the quarterback situation was an ugly learning curve. The Bears threw 43 interceptions, mostly by Caleb Williams, and lost 14 fumbles on top of that. To make matters worse, they dropped 30 passes over the course of the season, creating a perfect storm of offensive inefficiency and lackluster performances.
Defensively, the Bears were not much better. Although they recorded 38 interceptions, 25 sacks, and 15 forced fumbles, they allowed an average of 353.2 yards per game. While the defense was opportunistic, it wasn’t enough to make up for the team’s deficiencies on offense. Their record against teams with a winning record was abysmal, going just 2-7, while they managed a .500 record against teams with losing records, going 4-4. The lone bright spot in their disastrous season was rookie linebacker Harold Perkins Jr., who was selected with the 7th overall pick in the 2024 draft. Perkins has emerged as a dominant force and quickly has become a Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY) and Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) candidate.
Offseason Changes
After a dismal 2024, the Bears knew they had to make significant changes if they hoped to turn things around. The front office went to work, executing a variety of roster moves to reshape the team’s identity for 2025. One of the most noteworthy changes was the decision to rebuild the offensive and defensive units with a combination of young talent and free-agent acquisitions.
The first significant change with the quarterback Caleb Williams, who downgraded from X-Factor to Star in 2025, slowing his progression and leaving him without certain abilities. The team also made some changes to the running back room, bringing in rookies Kaleb Johnson and Jarquez Hunter to replace D’Andre Swift who was traded to the Cowboys and Roschon Johnson. This youth movement at running back was expected to bring speed and playmaking ability to an offense that was lackluster in 2024.
Another notable offensive change came in the form of rookie wide receiver Kendrick Law, who replaced Keenan Allen, one of the better slot receivers in the league. Law’s speed and dynamic ability helped stretch the field, giving Williams a reliable weapon down and around the field. However, while these moves on offense brought speed and athleticism to the roster, they didn’t necessarily improve the team’s quality in a significant way. The Bears’ offense still struggles with offensive line play at times.
On defense, the Bears added Grady Jarrett to help bolster the defensive line, and rookie edge rushers Kyle Kennard and Jack Sawyer replaced Demarcus Walker across from Montez Sweat. These moves created a slightly more formidable pass rush, but the biggest change came at linebacker. Perkins’ presence was augmented by the addition of Robert Spillane and Willie G**, who replaced the traded Tremaine Edmunds. The defensive backfield remained relatively unchanged, with Kyler Gordon moving to safety and Donte Jackson brought in as a new CB3 as Jaquan Brisker was traded to Seattle. While the defense had shown some promise in 2024, the additions of Jarrett, Perkins, and the improved edge rush helped stabilize the defensive front.
A Surprising Turnaround: 2025-2026 Season So Far
By Week 13 of the 2025-2026 season, the Bears have emerged as one of PML’s biggest surprises. With a 9-2 record, they have significantly improved on both sides of the ball, and the team’s trajectory was drastically different from what many expected after their 6-11 season the previous year. Offensively, the Bears had gone from averaging 29 points per game in 2024 to 39 points per game in 2025, an increase of 10 points per game. Williams, despite his continued struggles with consistency, had improved drastically, throwing only 9 interceptions and taking just 27 sacks. The offensive line, though not perfect, was far more effective at giving Williams time in the pocket and opening lanes. The running game, powered by Johnson and Hunter, is explosive, and Kendrick Law is developing into one of the most dangerous deep threats in the league.
On defense, the Bears’ numbers had improved across the board. They are allowing just 21 points per game, a full 11-point drop from the previous year. The pass rush, led by Montez Sweat and the rookie edge rushers, had been ferocious, contributing to the team’s 31 interceptions, 22 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, and an incredible 8 defensive touchdowns in 12 games. Harold Perkins, now firmly established as one of the best linebackers in the NFL, has been a game-changer on every snap. His presence alongside Edwards, Spillane, and G** have solidified the linebacker corps, and the revamped defensive line has been able to apply pressure on quarterbacks with greater efficiency.
Perhaps most surprising was the Bears’ success against quality opponents. They have boasted a 4-1 record against teams with a winning record, a drastic improvement from the previous year when they only managed 2 wins against teams above .500. The Bears had also been dominant within their division, going 4-0 in NFC North matchups. This was a stark contrast to their 2024 division record, which saw them win just once and lose 5.
Could the Bears Have Tanked in 2024?
Given the remarkable improvement in just one season, many are asking: did the Bears intentionally tank in 2024 to set up for a championship window in 2025 and beyond? The evidence for a strategic tanking scenario is compelling. The team’s roster moves and the sheer scope of the turnaround suggest that the 2024 season was viewed by the front office as a necessary step to secure a high draft pick and rebuild the team’s core. The selection of Harold Perkins at 7th overall, a player who has become a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in just his first season, suggests that the Bears knew they were investing in future success. Additionally, the significant improvements on defense, especially in the pass rush and linebacker play, were clearly planned for the long haul.
While it’s impossible to say for certain whether the Bears intentionally tanked, the timing of their improvements and the sudden rise in their performance make it seem as though their struggles in 2024 were not an accident. Head Coach Keraun has a history of success and consistency, having made 10 straight playoff appearances before the 6-11 debacle of 2024 as coach of the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens. Such a drastic drop-off in performance is highly uncharacteristic for a coach with that kind of success. In hindsight, it’s clear that 2024 was likely a year of laying the groundwork for future success, using the high draft pick and cap space to build a competitive roster for 2025.
Conclusion
The question of whether the Chicago Bears intentionally tanked in the 2024 season is one that invites considerable debate. On one hand, the team’s dismal 6-11 record and underperformance on both offense and defense could be seen as the unfortunate results of a roster that was poorly constructed and unable to execute on the field without more resources poured in and time to develop. With a rookie quarterback, an offensive line that allowed an insane 55 sacks, and a defense that couldn’t quite contain opposing offenses, the Bears appeared to be in disarray. Their record against teams with winning records (2-7) and their overall performance suggested a team that was simply not equipped to compete at a high level.
On the other hand, the turnaround from 2024 to 2025 is so stark that it raises suspicions of a calculated strategy. The front office made several notable moves in the offseason that, while they did improve the roster, were not necessarily seismic shifts that would account for a 10-point increase in points per game and an 11-point decrease in points allowed per game. The decision to prioritize youth on offense and defense, particularly the addition of rookies like Harold Perkins, Kendrick Law, and the reshuffling of key positions, could have been a long-term play. The acquisition of Grady Jarrett and the selection of new edge rushers like Kyle Kennard and Jack Sawyer also seemed to position the team for future success, setting up a dominant defense for the next few seasons. Moreover, the coaching staff’s track record, particularly Keraun’s history of consistent playoff appearances, makes the sudden drop to 6-11 in 2024 feel more like a step back for a bigger leap forward.
While it’s impossible to definitively prove the Bears intentionally tanked in 2024, the evidence points toward a strategic retooling of the roster. The high draft pick used on Harold Perkins Jr., who quickly became a dominant defensive force, suggests that the Bears were already positioning themselves for a future with key foundational players. Their seemingly deliberate moves in the offseason, coupled with their dramatic improvement in 2025, align with the idea of a well-planned rebuild, whether that involved tanking or simply a bad year that led to unexpected benefits.
Whatever the true intentions behind the 2024 season, the results speak for themselves. The Bears have emerged as one of the league’s most improved teams in 2025, boasting a 9-2 record and a much more competitive roster. Their success in 2025 suggests that the team has set itself up for sustained success, making it clear that the Bears are a team to watch for the next several seasons. Whether or not their 2024 performance was a result of a calculated tank or just a year of misfortune, their turnaround has positioned them for a bright future, and their playoff hopes in 2025 are a testament to their ability to rebound quickly. The Bears may not have intentionally tanked, but they certainly seem to have used their rough 2024 season as a launchpad for a much more promising future. Caleb Williams has cut his interceptions by about 75%, and a jump back to superstardom or X-Factor could be a final nail in the tank coffin.
The Results of the Tank Investigation: Guilty
