THE 5 SCARIEST DEFENSES CALEB WILLIAMS WILL FACE AS A ROOKIE
A lot can still change between now and the 2024 NFL season, but we can at least provide an early look at the toughest defenses Caleb Williams will be exposed to a as a rookie gunslinger for the Chicago Bears.
Let's dive in, ranking them from hardest to easiest.
1. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have an elite pass rush and they'll have Dre Greenlaw back from injury after they lost the star linebacker late last season. San Francisco tied the Bears with 22 interceptions to lead the NFL last season while also finishing third in rushing yards allowed.
2. Detroit Lions
The Lions had the No. 2 rushing defense. They have an elite pass rush and they might've gotten better on the back end with first-round pick Terrion Arnold, who was a star cornerback at Alabama.
3. Minnesota Vikings
Brian Flores is in his second year calling the defense in Minnesota and after working his magic in 2023 he has a fresh roster to play with in 2024. The Vikings lost Danielle Hunter but added Houston edge rusher Jonathan Greenard and then drafted Alabama stud edge rusher Dallas Turner. Add in free agent signings of Blake Cashman and Andrew Van Ginkle and Flores could make life difficult on the Bears rookie QB.
4. Houston Texans
This is a tough road game and Houston, after a magic run last season, looks even better in 2024 with a defensive that added Danielle Hunter to pair with Will Anderson in what could be the best pass-rushing duo in the NFL.
5. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks ranked eighth in coverage grade per Pro Football Focus in 2023 and now they have a new head coach in Mike MacDonald, who arrives after leading dominant defenses in Baltimore. Devon Witherspoon is a shutdown corner in his second year and they drafted Texas star defensive tackle Byron Murphy II. He could feast with Leonard Williams and Boye Mafe rushing Williams on the outside.
Did we get it right or wrong? For a refresher, here are Chicago's 2024 opponents.
Home:
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Carolina Panthers
- New England Patriots
Away:
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Arizona Cardinals
- San Francisco 49ers
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Washington Commanders