Mattel’s Magic 8 Ball has been making predictions since 1946. We ran a few questions about the Chicago Bears by one and the results were positive, for the most part.
For those unfamiliar with the concept, users ask yes-no questions to the ball, give it a shake and then turn it over to reveal the answer. We opted for an online version to ask the following:
Will Caleb Williams win Offensive Rookie of the Year?
Magic 8 Ball says: It is certain
Someone has to win Rookie of the Year honors, but history proves it’s seldom the No. 1 overall pick who earns the award. There’s reason to believe Williams will be among the few, though.
The former USC signal-caller has the talent and the resume to prove it, having won the Heisman Trophy while finishing fourth in touchdown passes (72) and fifth in passing yards (8,170) all-time at Southern Cal despite playing only two years for the program. The Bears also furthered his chances of early success this offseason, adding running back D’Andre Swift and veteran wideout Keenan Allen to a unit that already includes star receiver D.J. Moore and budding tight end Cole Kmet.
Williams will be up against some stiff competition to win the ROY award, possibly from his own teammate in wideout Rome Odunze, whom the Bears selected with the No. 9 overall pick in this year’s draft. Since 1967, five players selected No. 1 overall in the draft have gone on to win Rookie of the Year, with only three being quarterbacks: Kyler Murray (2019), Cam Newton (2011) and Sam Bradford (2010).
But if the Magic 8 Ball says Williams will be the best offensive rookie in 2024, it must be true.
Is DeMarcus Walker primed for a bounce-back season?
Magic 8 Ball says: As I see it
Following a career year with the Tennessee Titans, Walker inked a three-year, $21 million contract with the Bears ahead of the 2023 campaign. But he had an underwhelming first season in Chicago, managing only 3.5 sacks in 17 games (12 starts).
An entire season playing opposite star edge-rusher Montez Sweat could significantly impact Walker’s game. The seven-year veteran posted 26 of his 47 pressures in the eight games after the All-Pro’s arrival, so it’s easy to assume that growth will only continue in 2024.
The Bears sorely need Walker to bounce back. Aside from selecting Austin Booker in the fifth round of this year’s NFL Draft, Chicago didn’t do much to solidify the team’s pass rush, so they’ll be counting on Walker to pull significant weight on the edge.
Will quarterback Tyson Bagent start a game in 2024?
Magic 8 Ball says: Signs point to yes
Last season, Bagent, an undrafted rookie, got a shot at starting midway through the year after Justin Fields went down. In the NFL, where injuries are inevitable – especially at the quarterback position – odds say he’ll get another chance during the 2024 campaign.
Last season, only nine quarterbacks started all 17 games for their respective teams. Williams isn’t as fleet-footed as Justin Fields and might be especially vulnerable behind a Bears offensive line that graded 23rd in both pass and run blocking, per Pro Football Focus.
The best-case scenario with this prediction has Bagent stepping in to give Williams a breather late in the year because the Bears have already secured a playoff spot. The worst-case scenario – well, let’s not even think about that.
Is this the year the Bears return to the playoffs?
Magic 8 Ball says: Cannot predict now
After an eventful offseason, the Bears’ fortunes have changed overnight, at least on paper. Chicago may not be good enough to win the North, but it’s not hard to buy them as a potential playoff team in the NFC.
The reigning division- champion Detroit Lions are the obvious favorite to repeat and are atop the list of Super Bowl contenders. Yet, few predicted the Green Bay Packers’ rise behind QB Jordan Love a year ago and the Bears could tell a similar story in 2024.
The Bears haven’t qualified for the postseason since 2021 and their last playoff win came in 2010. If you believe in the summer hype, this year’s team is ready to break both streaks. All that’s left is to prove it on the field.