Lunch with Larry: 2024 Week 1

Which position group do you think will make the biggest jump this season?
Fred S.

If I had to pick one, I'd say the receivers. DJ Moore had one of the most productive seasons by a receiver in Bears history last year, setting career highs in all categories with 96 receptions, 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns. But no other receiver had even a third as many catches – Darnell Mooney was second with 31. In the offseason, general manager Ryan Poles turned the position into a seemingly major strength by signing six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen from the Chargers and selecting Washington's Rome Odunze with the ninth pick in the first round of the draft. Allen led the NFL with a Chargers-record 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven TDs in 2023 despite missing the final four games with a heel injury. With him, the Bears are the only NFL team with two receivers who both managed at least 1,200 yards last season. And then there's Odunze, already an accomplished route runner and named to the AP First-Team All-American after posting a career-high 92 catches, 1,640 yards and 13 TDs at Washington last year. On paper, this is the most talented trio of receivers in Bears history.

Which player do you think is most likely to surprise us this year with a performance that exceeds our expectations?
Sarah B.

That's a tough question because expectations are high for many players, especially those who play skill positions on offense and in the secondary on defense. For example, if cornerback Jaylon Johnson leads the Bears with five interceptions, it won't be a surprise. So I'll pick a player who flies under the radar and doesn't get a lot of attention: defensive end Darrell Taylor. Taylor, who was acquired from the Bears in a trade with the Seahawks on Aug. 23, is a veteran pass rusher who recorded 91 tackles, 21.5 sacks, 22 tackles-for-loss and five forced fumbles over the past three seasons for Seattle. As part of the defensive line rotation, he'll likely get plenty of 1-on-1 opportunities while running opposite Montez Sweat, and he possesses the talent and potential to make some impactful plays this season.

Will Ryan Poles sign another edge rusher before Week 4?
Kevin G.

Ryan Poles is always focused on improving the roster, so I wouldn't be surprised if he eventually signed a pass rusher from another team's practice squad if he believes the move would benefit the Bears. But I think it's unrealistic to expect anything more from a player from another team's practice squad than to add depth. As the season begins, the Bears will certainly focus on developing young defensive ends Austin Booker and Daniel Hardy.

How do you view the playing time in the backfield between D'Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson?
Terry C.

I think D'Andre Swift will carry most of the workload early in the season. He's proven himself as a three-tackle, dual-threat running back, rushing for 2,729 yards and 23 touchdowns on 593 carries and catching 195 passes for 1,412 yards and eight TDs in four seasons with the Lions (2020-22) and Eagles (2023). It seems like he was a somewhat under-the-radar free agent who could prove to be an impact player in an offense with a variety of weapons. That being said, I also expect Khalil Herbert to get a decent amount of runs as a relief running back. Herbert is a patient runner with a knack for producing big plays with cutback runs.

Who do you think will be the main edge rusher opposite Montez Sweat?
Tommy H.

I expect veterans DeMarcus Walker and Darrell Taylor to get the majority of action alongside Montez Sweat on Sunday against the Titans, but Dominique Robinson, Austin Booker and Daniel Hardy will likely have opportunities to be part of the pass rush rotation and have a chance to get more playing time in the coming weeks.

And finally, the question of the week and the winner of a Connie's Pizza gift card:

What are you most looking forward to on Sunday other than Caleb Williams and why?
Joe B.

Aside from Caleb Williams, I'm most curious to see if the Bears defense can pick up where it left off last season, when the unit was No. 1 in the NFL against the run and tied for the league lead with 22 interceptions. The defense showed marked improvement last year after the midseason signing of Montez Sweat and features a talented mix of established veterans and promising young players. Their chemistry and confidence have been evident throughout training camp and the preseason, and I'm excited to see if the defense can continue to generate turnovers and game-winning plays in Sunday's opener against the Titans.