0The NFL playoffs are often a proving ground, revealing strengths and weaknesses in teams under the bright lights of high-stakes football. For the Chicago Bears, who have been absent from the postseason for several years, the 2023 Divisional Playoffs offered a unique lens through which we could analyze their potential future trajectory. While the Bears themselves were not participants, watching how teams in the NFC North performed gave us valuable insights into where the franchise currently stands and where it might be headed.
Let’s dive into the key takeaways from the Divisional Playoffs, particularly focusing on the NFC North teams, and what these observations tell us about the Bears’ standing within their division.
#### 1. **Quarterback Play is Everything**
One of the most significant takeaways from the 2023 Divisional Playoffs was the continuing emphasis on the importance of elite quarterback play. Teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Kansas City Chiefs showcased the impact of having a top-tier quarterback under center. In particular, Jalen Hurts of the Eagles and Brock Purdy of the 49ers (who was performing well beyond expectations) demonstrated that having a solid and consistent QB can carry a team deep into the playoffs.
For the Bears, this reinforces an obvious but often overlooked reality: they need stability and growth at the quarterback position. Justin Fields has shown flashes of brilliance with his mobility, arm strength, and leadership. However, he remains an unfinished product in terms of consistency, decision-making, and overall passing proficiency. The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and for the Bears to be a true contender, Fields needs to develop into someone capable of carrying the team through a playoff push.
The performance of players like Hurts and Purdy reinforces the importance of building around your quarterback, whether it’s by adding talent at the skill positions, improving the offensive line, or bolstering the defensive unit to take pressure off the offense. The Bears have made progress in some of these areas, but there is more work to be done.
#### 2. **A Strong Offensive Line is a Must**
Another glaring lesson from the playoffs is the importance of a solid offensive line. Across the Divisional Playoffs, we saw teams with strong, cohesive offensive lines thrive. The Eagles’ line, particularly, was dominant, allowing Hurts to operate with confidence in the pocket while also providing space for the running game to flourish. On the other hand, teams like the Minnesota Vikings and even the Detroit Lions had moments where their offensive lines faltered under pressure, ultimately limiting their offensive production.
For the Bears, the offensive line remains a critical area of focus. While they have made improvements, particularly with the acquisition of players like Nate Davis and the development of their young linemen, the unit still lacks consistency. Protecting Justin Fields is paramount to his development, and ensuring that the offensive line can create lanes for the running game (which was one of the Bears’ strengths in 2023) will help make the offense more dynamic.
The playoffs illustrated that no matter how good your quarterback or playmakers are, if you don’t have an offensive line that can hold up against elite defenses, you’re going to struggle. The Bears must continue to invest in improving their offensive line to ensure that Fields has the time and protection he needs to develop as a passer and keep the offense humming.
#### 3. **Defensive Strength Still Matters, but Needs to Evolve**
In recent years, defense has been a hallmark of the Bears’ identity. Under head coach Matt Eberflus, the team has been focusing on creating a defense that is both aggressive and adaptable. However, the Divisional Playoffs revealed that while a strong defense is still necessary for playoff contention, it needs to evolve to keep pace with the modern NFL.
Teams like the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles demonstrated that it’s no longer enough to simply have a good front seven or solid secondary; you need to be versatile and capable of adapting to changing offensive schemes. The 49ers, in particular, showed how a defense that can get to the quarterback, stifle the run, and cover elite receivers is a game-changer. Their ability to control the line of scrimmage and take the ball away made them one of the most dangerous units in the postseason.
For the Bears, this means that while they have strong individual players like Roquan Smith (now with Baltimore) and Jaylon Johnson, the defense must continue to be built for speed and flexibility. The Bears’ defensive line also needs more playmakers, and their secondary could benefit from adding a top-tier cornerback who can match up with the NFL’s elite receivers.
The takeaway here is that while the Bears’ defense is competitive, it must evolve to handle the increasingly pass-happy nature of the league. To return to true relevance in the NFC, the Bears need to bolster their defensive depth and create a more disruptive, playmaking unit.
#### 4. **Special Teams Can’t Be Overlooked**
When it comes to playoff football, special teams often serve as the unsung hero, and this was evident in the Divisional Playoffs. Teams that had reliable kickers, solid punters, and efficient return games gained an edge in field position and kept their offenses out of difficult situations. In particular, the successful special teams play of the Chiefs and Eagles played a big role in their ability to control the game and maintain momentum.
For the Bears, special teams have been a mixed bag in recent years. They’ve had flashes of excellence, particularly with return specialist Velus Jones Jr. and kicker Cairo Santos, but consistency has been a challenge. This is an area where the Bears can look to make an immediate impact, especially considering how tight playoff games can be decided by a single mistake or big play in the special teams phase.
To compete in the NFC North and eventually contend for a Super Bowl, the Bears need to be sure they have a complete, reliable special teams unit. Teams that win championships often do so with contributions from all three phases, and special teams cannot be ignored if the Bears want to take that next step.
#### 5. **The NFC North Remains Wide Open**
Finally, one of the most exciting takeaways from watching the Divisional Playoffs is that the NFC North, while competitive, remains wide open. The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions both showed signs of growth in 2023, but they also had glaring weaknesses. The Vikings struggled with consistency, particularly on defense, while the Lions’ young roster showed promise but lacked experience when the pressure was on.
The Packers, under Jordan Love, are in a state of transition but have a strong coaching staff and a tradition of success to build upon. All of this means that the Bears have a real chance to make a run at the division title, provided they can improve in key areas like quarterback play, offensive line, and defensive consistency. The NFC North isn’t dominated by one team right now, making it an open field for the Bears to reassert themselves as a contender.
### Conclusion: The Bears’ Path Forward
The 2023 Divisional Playoffs served as a reminder of the core tenets that drive success in today’s NFL: elite quarterback play, a strong offensive line, a versatile defense, and solid special teams. For the Bears, these lessons are not new, but they serve as a roadmap for the future. With the right investments in talent, coaching, and development, the Bears have the potential to turn their rebuild into a contender.
As the NFC North continues to evolve, the Bears will need to keep pace, but the path forward is clear. Build around Justin Fields, protect him with a better offensive line, improve the defense, and continue to address every phase of the game. The lessons learned from the 2023 Divisional Playoffs are a valuable blueprint for how the Bears can navigate their way back to relevance and, eventually, championship contention.