ESPN bullish on Chicago Bears 2023 projected win total

The Chicago Bears have done a lot of work retooling their roster over the last several months. From key free-agent acquisitions like Tremaine Edmunds, TJ Edwards, and Nate Davis to a blockbuster trade for DJ Moore, and a successful 2023 NFL Draft that included Darnell Wright in the first round, the confidence around this Bears team is beginning to grow.

Predicted win totals are a good place to start when gauging how much confidence NFL analysts have in the 2023 Chicago Bears. ESPN’s Mike Clay and Tyler Fulghum, for example, believe the expected growth of Justin Fields and the upgrades GM Ryan Poles has made around him will lead to immediate success in the win column.

Clay has the Chicago Bears winning more than 7.5 games, and Fulghum sounds like he’s expecting even more than that.

“This is my favorite team to bet in the division,” Fulghum wrote. “I am very bullish on the Bears in 2023 and beyond. It starts with QB Justin Fields, who I think is a certified star in the making. GM Ryan Poles has done a very good job fortifying the talent around him on offense, so I think he takes a big leap this season in his development. The defense is still a work in progress, so I’m expecting this team to be involved in a lot of entertaining shootouts. Bottom line: I am betting big on Fields and the Bears taking a significant leap.”

It’s hard to disagree with Fulghum’s assessment. There are legitimate reasons to be excited about Fields becoming a more well-rounded quarterback a year after nearly breaking the single-season rushing record for a quarterback. His pass-catchers and offensive line are more talented. He’s in the second year with the same coaches and an offensive scheme tailored to his skill set. The sky is, literally, the limit.

It’s fair to predict at least eight wins for the Chicago Bears in 2023. If they win only eight, they’d still be a game below .500. This roster feels like it’s better than that. In fact, it wouldn’t shock me if the Bears snag 10 wins in 2023 and push for a wild card in the NFC.

Like I said, it’s easy to get excited about this team.