2024 Chicago Bears season
The 2024 season was the Chicago Bears' 105th in the National Football League, their third under general manager Ryan Poles, and their third and final under head coach Matt Eberflus. It was also their final season under the ownership of Virginia Halas McCaskey, who died one month after the season ended. The Bears were unable to improve on their 7–10 record from 2023 following a Week 15 loss to the [2024 2024 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings] on Monday Night Football. The team was featured during the training camp edition of the HBO show Hard Knocks.
Despite a 4–2 start, their best since 2020, the Bears went on to lose 10 consecutive games, tying the franchise record set in 2022, with their first being against the [2024 2024 Washington Commanders season|Washington Commanders season|Washington Commanders] in the Hail Maryland game. In the last play of the game, a 52-yard Hail Mary pass that was tipped in the air by cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who was caught taunting fans during the play, was caught in the endzone by Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown. The Bears suffered close consecutive losses to each of their division rivals, starting with the [2024 2024 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]' Karl Brooks blocking a potential game-winning field goal in Week 11. In Week 12, the Bears rallied from an 11-point deficit in the last two minutes of regulation to force overtime against the Minnesota Vikings, only to lose despite winning the coin toss. On Thanksgiving Day, the Bears fell to a 4–8 record following a 23–20 loss to the [2024 2024 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]. Eberflus was widely criticized for his clock management in the final seconds of the game and was fired the next day, making him the first head coach to be fired midseason in the team's over century-old history. In Week 14, with Thomas Brown at interim head coach, the Bears lost against the [2024 2024 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers], ensuring a last-place finish in the division for the third straight season. Following the Commanders beating the New Orleans Saints in Week 15, the Bears were eliminated from playoff contention for the fourth consecutive season. They snapped their losing streak in the final week of the season with a 24–22 win over the Packers, their first win over their division rival since the 2018 season. Caleb Williams became the first Bears quarterback to start every game in a season since Jay Cutler did so in 2009.
Offseason
Staff changes
On January 10, 2024, the Bears announced that they fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and four others offensive assistants. On January 23, 2024, Shane Waldron was hired as the new offensive coordinator, while Kerry Joseph was announced as the Quarterbacks coach three days later. On January 27, 2024, Eric Washington was named the defensive coordinator.On February 21, 2024, the Bears announced the hiring of additional six coaches: offensive passing game coordinator Thomas Brown, running backs coach Chad Morton, receivers coach Chris Beatty, assistant offensive line coach Jason Houghtaling, assistant quarterbacks and receivers coach Robbie Picazo and assistant running backs coach Jennifer King. King would make history, as the first female coach in Bears history. Chavis Cook was hired as the coaching administration manager. On February 23, the Bears added Ryan Griffin as assistant quarterbacks and receivers coach and Bryan Bing as assistant defensive line coach. On February 26, Matt Pees was added as defensive analyst-advance/special projects.
In addition, three other coaches were promoted: Offensive line coach Chris Morgan promoted to run game coordinator; assistant defensive backs coach, David Overstreet II to Nickelbacks coach and administrative coaching assistant, Kenny Norton III to defensive quality control coach.
Bill Walsh Diversity coaches
The Bears added six coaches from the NFL's Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship Program: Michael Bellamy II, Stefon Wheeler, Angela Rowe, Michael Bearden, Yosef Fares and Anthony Blevins.Roster changes
Signings
Reserve/future contracts
The Bears signed the following players to reserve/future contracts: Micah Baskerville, Stephen Carlson, Jerome Carvin, Adrian Colbert, Douglas Coleman III, Aviante Collins, Michael Dwumfour, Daniel Hardy, Khalid Kareem, Doug Kramer, Cameron Lyons, Roy Mbaeteka, Bill Murray, Corliss Waitman and Nsimba Webster. Mbaeteka was later released.Draft
| Name | Position | College | Ref. |
| Brenden Bates | TE | Kentucky | |
| Theo Benedet | OT | UBC | |
| Carl Jones Jr. | LB | UCLA | |
| Jamree Kromah | DE | James Madison | |
| Peter LeBlanc | WR | Louisiana | |
| Keith Randolph Jr. | DT | [2023 2023 Illinois Fighting Illini football team|Illinois Fighting Illini football team|Illinois] | |
| Austin Reed | QB | Western Kentucky | |
| Reddy Steward | CB | [2023 2023 Troy Trojans football team|Troy Trojans football team|Troy] | |
| Ian Wheeler | RB | Howard | |
| Jaylon Hutchings | DT | Texas Tech |
'''Draft trades'''
Rookie minicamp participants
The following unsigned undrafted free agents participated in the Bears' rookie minicamp from May 9 to 11: LB Brian Abraham, Albany; OT Noah Atagi, Weber State; RB T. D. Ayo-Durojaiye, Villanova; DB Travian Blaylock, Wisconsin; DB Russell Dandy, Eastern Illinois; DT Mark Ho Ching, Northern Arizona; WR John Jackson, USC; DB Patrick Jolly, Abilene Christian; DB Leon Jones, Arkansas State; DT Dashaun Mallory, Arizona State; S Samuel Matthews, Texas A&M; DE John McCartan, Oregon State; LB Rich Miller Jr., Kansas; LB Paul Moala, Georgia Tech; WR R.J. Mobley, Winston-Salem; DB Decorian Patterson, UCF; DB Kendarin Ray, Tulsa; WR Marcus Rogers, Troy; OG David Satkowski, Stonehill; TE Geor'quarius Spivey, Mississippi State; OG Kameron Stutts, Auburn; OG Donald Ventrelli, North Dakota; TE Shelton Zeon, UNLV. Jackson, Jones, Mallory and Moala would later signed with the team.Staff
On November 12, 2024, the Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, after only nine games, and appointed passing game coordinator Thomas Brown as the interim offensive coordinator. It was the first ever change in the middle of the season since Perry Moss became Chicago's first designated OC in 1970. On November 29, 2024 Head coach Matt Eberflus was fired amid six game losing streak, and the team appointed Brown as the first ever interim head coach in franchise history, just 17 days after being promoted to interim offensive coordinator. On December 2, 2024, wide receivers coach Chris Beatty was subsequently promoted to interim offensive coordinator under Brown.Preseason
Schedule
On March 26, the National Football League announced that the Bears would play the [2024 2024 Houston Texans season|Houston Texans season|Houston Texans] in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game at 7:00 p.m. CDT on Thursday, August 1, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The Bears were represented by Devin Hester, Steve McMichael and Julius Peppers. The two teams were also scheduled to meet in Houston in Week 2 of the regular season.| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| HOF | vs. Houston Texans | W 21–17 | 1–0 | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium | ||
| 1 | at [2024 2024 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills] | W 33–6 | 2–0 | Highmark Stadium | ||
| 2 | [2024 2024 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals] | W 27–3 | 3–0 | Soldier Field | ||
| 3 | at [2024 2024 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs] | W 34–21 | 4–0 | Arrowhead Stadium |
Game summaries
Hall of Fame Game
Due to lightning in the area, the game was called during the third quarter and the Bears were declared the winners.Regular season
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Tennessee Titans
Despite falling behind 17–0 and failing to score an offensive touchdown, the Bears rallied to beat the Titans in their season opener with touchdowns on returns of a blocked punt and interception. Caleb Williams, despite finishing with just 93 passing yards, became the first #1 overall pick to win his first NFL start since David Carr in 2002.Week 2: at Houston Texans
The Bears offense continued to struggle, as Caleb Williams threw two interceptions. With the loss, the Bears fell to 1–1.Week 3: at Indianapolis Colts
Caleb Williams put up his best game of the season to date, throwing for 363 yards, but also threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. With the loss, the Bears fell to 1–2.Week 4: vs. Los Angeles Rams
D'Andre Swift rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown, and the Bears defense forced two turnovers, improving them to 2–2 and their first win over the Rams since 2018.Week 5: vs. Carolina Panthers
The Bears played lights out football. Caleb Williams played his best game with the Bears with 304 passing yards and two touchdowns, and Chicago's defense allowed just 10 points and forced three turnovers. With the win, they improve to 3–2 and defeated the Panthers for the fourth straight meeting.Week 6: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
NFL London gamesThe Bears scored 35+ points in consecutive games for the first time since 2013, blowing out the Jaguars 35–16 and improving to 4–2.
Week 8: at Washington Commanders
The last play of the game was a 52-yard Hail Mary pass from Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels to wide receiver Noah Brown to defeat the Bears. As the play developed, Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson was away from his coverage, taunting the crowd and was late to recover. He inadvertently tipped the pass to Brown for the winning touchdown. With the loss, the Bears fell to 4–3.Week 9: at Arizona Cardinals
The Bears kicked 3 field goals, failed to score a touchdown, and were defeated in lopsided fashion by the Cardinals, and fell to 4–4.Week 10: vs. New England Patriots
For the second straight game, the Bears failed to score a touchdown, and fell to 4–5. This was also the Bears' first loss at Soldier Field since Week 6 of 2023, snapping an 8-game winning streak at home.After this game, the Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and named Thomas Brown interim offensive coordinator.
Week 11: vs. Green Bay Packers
The Bears suffered another last-second loss, after a 46-yard field goal attempt from Cairo Santos to win the game was deflected by Packers defensive lineman Karl Brooks. The Bears fell to 4–6 and lost their eleventh straight game against the Packers.Week 12: vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Bears rallied from an 11-point deficit with under 2 minutes remaining to force overtime, but the Bears offense went three-and-out and the Vikings drove down the field for a game-winning field goal. With the loss, the Bears fell to 4–7.Week 13: at Detroit Lions
Thanksgiving Day gamesThe Bears rallied from a 23–7 fourth quarter deficit to pull within 23–20 with possession of the ball in field goal range; however, a sack knocked them out of field goal range, and a disastrous sequence ensued with the Bears not using their last timeout and the clock running out after an incomplete pass. The loss dropped the Bears to 4–8, and the day after the game, head coach Matt Eberflus was fired, becoming the first head coach in franchise history to be fired mid-season, and interim offensive coordinator Thomas Brown was promoted to interim head coach.
Week 14: at San Francisco 49ers
Thomas Brown's head coaching debut was a disaster for the Bears, who were outgained in yardage 319–4 in the first half and 452–162 for the game against a shorthanded 49ers team. With their seventh straight loss, the Bears fell to 4–9 and were assured of a fourth straight losing season.Week 15: at Minnesota Vikings
The Bears were shut out in the first half for the third consecutive game, and were blown out 30–12 by the Vikings, falling to 4–10. Also, prior to this game playing out, the Bears were eliminated from the playoffs due to Washington's win over New Orleans.Week 16: vs. Detroit Lions
With another lopsided loss, the Bears fell to 4–11.Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks
For the third time this season, the Bears failed to score a touchdown, and failed to score an offensive touchdown for the fourth time on the season.With the loss, the Bears tied their franchise-worst 10-game losing streak.