In fact, judging by this year's draft class, I'm not sure the ride will stop anytime soon for us long-suffering Bears fans.
The Bears' rookie class of 2024 has a chance to be the most historic and landscape-shifting class in franchise history thanks to the foresight and efforts of a man who could be considered Chicago royalty right now: General Manager Ryan Poles.
In less than three full years, Ryan Poles has placed his grizzly bear-sized stamp on this team in a manner so efficient and calculated that it feels as if he's been given the answers to the test. That includes this draft class, which invites as bold of predictions as I've ever made.
These are my three bold predictions for the Chicago Bears rookie class of 2024.
1. Tory Taylor will become a multiple time All-Pro.
I know I said I would be bold, but honestly, this doesn't feel like that bold of a take. I mean, have you seen this guy punt?
When Pat McAfee is singing your praises as someone who kicks a football for a living, you know that you have a special foot.
It is not a reach to suggest that Tory Taylor was the greatest weapon on the Iowa Hawkeyes football team last year as pinning teams inside the 10 became commonplace for Taylor. Over and over again, Taylor flipped field position for the offensively-challenged Hawkeyes, keeping them in games they had no business being in.
Before the Chicago Bears drafted Tory Taylor, I would've laughed if someone suggested watching a punter's highlight reel. After watching Taylor's highlights, I sit on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. I cannot get enough of watching Taylor kick the football.
If Taylor is able to replicate the insane feats of hangtime and directional kicking that he pulled off in college, it won't be long before he is the gold standard by which all other punters are judged.
For those of you who were upset by a punter being drafted in the fourth round, I ask you to hold your criticism. I have a feeling that once you watch the Bears get stymied deep in their own territory only for Taylor to miraculously pin the opposing team deep in their own territory, you'll start singing a different tune.
2. Austin Booker will notch double-digit sacks by his third year.
After the 2023 NFL Draft, I predicted that the various choices made by the Chicago Bears on the defensive side of the ball would result in the Bears having a Top 5 unit within three years.
What seemed like a bold proclamation at the time turned out to be gospel mid-season as Ryan Poles attached a rocket to the defense when he traded for ex-Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat.
The defensive focus this offseason was on finding Sweat a suitable partner-in-crime on the other end. For a short time during the draft, it seemed as if Poles would have to patch that position elsewhere, but as we should know by now, we should never underestimate Ryan Poles.
With Austin Booker falling further than expected, Ryan Poles saw his opportunity and struck, sending a 2025 fourth-round pick to move into the fifth round and select the promising young EDGE out of Kansas.
This was yet another Poles masterstroke. Booker was third in the Big 12 with 8 sacks last season despite only playing a mere 505 snaps during his time as a Jayhawk. In fact, his limited amount of tape may be precisely why he was able to be acquired.
With his length, youth, explosion, and production, Austin Booker looked like a threat to be drafted in the first or second round in 2025 if he waited to declare for the draft according to NFL Insider Daniel Jeremiah. Teams simply would've preferred to see him run back that level of production.
Luckily, Booker will have some of the best mentorship he could ask for off the bat in Montez Sweat and he will have all the opportunity in the world to get on the field right away. Booker likely couldn't have asked for a better situation for himself.
With the level of talent around him and the quality of the coaches at the helm defensively, I believe the Chicago Bears are going to get the most out of Austin Booker. I believe he will be a full-time starter by his second season. By his third, he'll be notching over ten sacks.
Book it - pun intended.
3. Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze will win multiple Super Bowls together.
I'm not here to hedge my bets, Bears Nation. I'm here to go all in. Whether you were alive in 1985 or not, this is the draft that you've waited your entire lives for.
Everything you think you know about the Chicago Bears is about to change forever.
The Bears have never had a QB pass for 4,000 yards? Get ready, Chicago. The Bears are never perennial contenders? Buckle up, it's time. The Bears are where WRs go to die? Sorry, Moose.
Fans of other teams in the NFC North better get their licks in about Caleb Williams and his fashion sense now. Once Williams gets acclimated to the speed and complexity of the NFL, there will be little for them to laugh about.
Caleb Williams enters his rookie season with arguably the best trio of Wide Receivers in the entire NFL. Ryan Poles has offered an absolute masterclass on how you should prepare for a rookie quarterback to take over the reins of a franchise.
The last addition of the trio, Rome Odunze, was the final piece of the puzzle for the Chicago Bears. Boasting an incredible 68.2% contested catch rate during his final season with Washington, Odunze is a quarterback's dream. Put the ball in his catch radius, and chances are he's coming down with it.
The Chicago Bears will now field perhaps the most electrifying offense in their history during Williams' rookie year. While that may not be a high bar now, you can be certain that Williams and Co. will set it at heights never before seen in Cook County.
With Odunze at his side, I am certain that Caleb Williams is going to explode onto the scene as a rookie and it will only get better from there. Ryan Poles has already built a top-10 defense. Now he has the offense to match it.
It's time to push our chips into the middle of the table. This is the era of the Chicago Bears in the NFC. Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze will lead this team to the promised land multiple times. I have never felt better about making such a bold proclamation.
I'm getting goosebumps right now just thinking about it.
The countdown is on, Bears fans. As each day slowly passes by, we are closer and closer to witnessing the greatness we have all been starved for.
Hibernation is over. It is time for the Chicago Bears to eat.
