In a list of teams with the biggest window to win a Super Bowl, NFL.com columnist Adam Schein ranks the Bears No. 1 in the NFC and No. 3 overall in the league.
"My faith in Chicago here rests on that fantastic defense, which is loaded with young studs like Khalil Mack, Eddie Jackson, Kyle Fuller and Leonard Floyd," Schein writes. "Mack, a four-time Pro Bowler who helped spark this Bears revival when Chicago traded for him in September, will be just 28 when next season begins, and he's under contract through 2024.
"I'd argue the Bears' defense, which allowed a scant 17.7 points per game (least in the NFL) in 2018, is the best in the league, though I'm curious to see how Chuck Pagano replaces the great Vic Fangio (who left to coach the Broncos) as the defensive coordinator.
"As for the offense, I thought Mitch Trubisky made major progress in Year 2 (and, not coincidentally, Year 1 under Matt Nagy), finishing with a 66.6 percent completion rate, 3,223 yards, a 24:12 TD-to-INT ratio and a 95.4 passer rating. Trubisky is primed for stardom. Nagy, the 2018 Coach of the Year, is so good at coaching this team up."
The only two teams Schein ranks ahead of the Bears are the Chiefs at No. 1 and the Colts at No. 2. He also lists the Rams fourth and the Texans fifth, followed by the Patriots, Eagles, Ravens and Chargers.
Coach Nagy finished 2018 with a 12-4 record, the best first full season of any active head coach in the NFL. Check out how the rest of the coaches in the league finished after their first season.
Coach Nagy finished 2018 with a 12-4 record, the best first full season of any active head coach in the NFL. Check out how the rest of the coaches in the league finished after their first season.
T25 - Jay Gruden (WAS), 4-12 in 2014
T25 - Pat Shurmur (NYG), 4-12 in 2011
Shurmur started his career with the Cleveland Browns.
24 - Andy Reid (KC), 5-11 in 1999
Reid started his career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
T18 Bill Belichick (NE), 6-10 in 1991
Belichick started his career with the Cleveland Browns.
T18 - Ron Rivera (CAR), 6-10 in 2011
T18 - Matt Patricia (DET), 6-10 in 2018
T18 - Doug Marrone (JAX), 6-10 in 2013
Marrone started his career with the Buffalo Bills.
T18 - Kyle Shanahan (SF), 6-10 in 2017
T18 - Pete Carroll (SEA), 6-10 in 1994
Carroll started his career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
T16 - Mike Zimmer (MIN), 7-9 in 2014
T16 - Doug Pederson (PHI), 7-9 in 2016
T13 - Dan Quinn (ATL), 8-8 in 2015
T13 - Jason Garrett (DAL), 8-8 in 2011
T13 - Jon Gruden (OAK), 8-8 in 1998
T9 - Sean McDermott (BUF), 9-7 in 2017
T9 - Bill O'Brien (HOU), 9-7 in 2014
T9 - Anthony Lynn (LAC), 9-7 in 2017
T9 - Mike Vrabel (TEN), 9-7 in 2018
T4 - Frank Reich (IND), 10-6 in 2018
T4 - Sean Payton (NO), 10-6 in 2006
T4 - Adam Gase (NYJ), 10-6 in 2016
Gase started his career with the Miami Dolphins.
T4 - Mike Tomlin (PIT), 10-6 in 2007
T4 - Bruce Arians (TB), 10-6 in 2013
Arians started his career with the Arizona Cardinals.
T2 - John Harbaugh (BAL), 11-5 in 2008
T2 - Sean McVay (LAR), 11-5 in 2017
