In 2023, Walker’s first season with the Bears, he didn’t have the worst season. But a season after leading the Tennessee Titans in sacks with seven, a career high, the 29-year-old failed to live up to the hype.
Walker signed a three-year, $21 million ($15.6 million) contract last offseason, but he only has 3.5 sacks in 12 games. Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of 59.1, placing him 50th out of all ends who saw at least 50% of his team’s snaps.
Walker has a chance to improve, especially considering that he finished the previous season with 12 QB hits and 31 hurries. However, he might be replaced in 2024 if he is unable to finish, possibly by an edge rusher chosen with the ninth overall pick in the NFL Draft in April.
After two mostly unremarkable seasons, Jones is still with the Bears, though it’s unclear how long he’ll stay there. With the recent addition of star Keenan Allen, the former third-round pick has already been moved down the depth chart, and an incoming rookie is probably going to do the same.
Jones, who was selected 71st overall in the 2022 selection, has played in 26 career games and has accumulated more rushing yards (154) than receiving yards (127). From 22% in his debut year to just 11% in 2023, his offensive snap percentage has decreased in the interim.
Jones’s luck seems to be running out, and in order to make the roster, he may need to have a breakout season and a solid training camp. After that, it’s challenging to anticipate the third-year wideout playing a big part in the future.
There are many who believe that Eberflus’ job is secure for the foreseeable future, given that the Bears are just a few weeks away from picking a quarterback with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. However, there’s no denying that the head coach is under fire, Caleb Williams or not.
If they don’t make any real progress in 2024 after two losing seasons, Eberflus will probably be fired. The franchise doesn’t appear to be preparing for a couple rebuilding years based on its offseason actions. While an NFC Championship trip would not be the goal, winning more than seven games could be
Behind Eberflus, the defense made tremendous progress the previous season. But the offense faltered, which resulted in Fields’ and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s dismissals.
The Bears will now have their quarterback in addition to two new acquisitions: wide receiver Allen and 1,000-yard rusher D’Andre Swift. The offense will be shaped by new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, but this time, Eberflus may be the one to lose.
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