Ranking Bears’ 2024 opponents from easiest to hardest

With the NFL schedule officially released last week, the Chicago Bears will face 14 different opponents throughout the 2024 campaign. In addition to running the annual NFC North gauntlet, the Bears will face opponents in the NFC West and the AFC South divisions.

With that in mind, we’ve ranked the team’s opponents from easiest to hardest for the 2024 season.

14. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Will Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams square off with fellow first-year signal caller Drake Maye, or will veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett be under center? Either way, many are projecting the Patriots to be among the worst teams in the league in 2024. Moving on from Bill Belichick introduced the Jerod Mayo era in Foxboro. The Patriots remain an in-transition roster with a ton of holes.

13. CAROLINA PANTHERS

The Bears have the Carolina Panthers to thank for their ability to draft Williams with the No. 1 overall pick following the now-infamous Bryce Young trade. Young is now attempting to showcase much-needed sophomore growth under first-year head coach Dave Canales after struggling mightily as a rookie. Expect the Bears to continue making Carolina regret their decision to trade up to No. 1 overall in 2023.

12. ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort remains in rebuild mode, but Arizona projects to be better than they were throughout 2023. Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. will make for a tricky opponent in 2024. The Bears should possess the upper hand versus a Cardinals roster yet to be complete.

11. TENNESSEE TITANS

The Titans fired Mike Vrabel and ushered in the Brian Callahan era. Callahan is a first-time head coach and play-caller with an inexperienced sophomore quarterback in Will Levis. The Titans acquired some star players this offseason, including Calvin Ridley and L’Jarius Sneed. They’re a bit of an unknown that will travel to Soldier Field in Week 1.

10. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

It’s No. 1 vs. No. 2, with Williams and Jayden Daniels’ Washington Commanders slated to lock horns in Week 8. It’s must-watch television when rookie top-two quarterbacks are adversaries. The Bears will be able to prove why they never wavered with the top overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

9. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

The Colts nearly qualified for the postseason in 2023 despite missing rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson for most of the season. A healthy, dual-threat, Richardson should take a step forward as a sophomore. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley also fields a tough defense to play against every season.

8. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Like the Titans, the Seahawks are another difficult team to predict now that their long-tenured head coach is no longer in the fold. Seattle replaced Pete Carroll with former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Veteran quarterback Geno Smith should keep Seattle in the playoff discussion all season.

7. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

The Jaguars disappointed in 2023, failing to win a lackluster AFC South division. Trevor Lawrence should be healthier in 2024 while rebounding from a disappointing injury-plagued 2023 campaign. Experienced head coach Doug Peterson should get the Jaguars back on track.

6. MINNESOTA VIKINGS

This may be high for the Vikings, considering they’ll start an unknown rookie quarterback in J.J. McCarthy. Still, his offensive weapons include Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores also consistently gets the most out of his players.

5. LOS ANGELES RAMS

Sean McVay got the Los Angeles Rams trending back in the right direction with a playoff berth in 2023, but they must now navigate life without Aaron Donald. Still, Matthew Stafford is among the league’s best quarterbacks, and he has Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua at wide receiver. Replacing defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who is now the Atlanta Falcons head coach, is another challenge.

4. GREEN BAY PACKERS

The Packers could rank No. 1 based on Chicago’s inability to defeat their arch-rival in recent seasons. A young, ascending Packers roster should get even better in 2024 with a well-developing Jordan Love at the helm. Will the Bears finally exercise their Packers-related demons this coming campaign?

3. HOUSTON TEXANS

The Texans went all-in this offseason to surround their historically great rookie quarterback, C.J. Stroud, with more talent on both sides of the ball. Superstar wide receiver Stefon Diggs was acquired via a stunning trade with the Buffalo Bills. Defensively, the Texans are loaded with talent, including newcomers like Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry.

2. DETROIT LIONS

The NFC North defending champion Detroit Lions are rightful favorites to win the division for a second consecutive campaign. Franchise quarterback Jared Goff is now tied to the franchise for the foreseeable future through a recently signed multi-year extension. The Lions could return to another NFC Championship Game in 2024.

1. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

The 49ers are the defending NFC champions. Kyle Shanahan’s squad appears to be a strong contender to represent the conference in another Super Bowl this season. Williams and the Bears should embrace competition by relishing their opportunity to test their progress against the 49ers in Week 14.