After bringing in the veteran through a trade with Jacksonville, the Bears’ odds look slightly improved in 2020.
Despite all of the chaos the Bears endured this past season, they managed to finish with an 8-8 record.
While the end result fell far short of what many fans expected heading into the season, they reached the .500 mark despite numerous issues – particularly on the offensive side of the ball – plaguing them throughout the year.
Arguably the biggest weakness for the Bears was their passing attack, and after a disappointing third season in the NFL, Mitchell Trubisky now finds his status as the teams starting quarterback on the line. Acquiring Nick Foles in a trade with the Jaguars last Wednesday, Chicago realizes that they must improve on offense to salvage their roster that is built to win now.
With the Bears hoping that their trade will result in an increase in wins, the odds appear that the move will do exactly that. Since the trade, pundits have given Chicago a increase of half of a win when projecting their win totals for the 2020 season.
The Bears 2020 win total opened at 8.0 but as of March 19 – the day after the Foles trade – was sitting at 8.5. Its unclear if the movement was motivated by the trade, but it wouldnt be surprising if future bettors were encouraged by the acquisition. At the very least, it signals that the franchise is not committed to having Mitch Trubisky start at all costs. The latest prop bet on who would start for Chicago in Week 1 even slightly favored the newcomer at -150 vs +110. – via Sascha at SBD
Its not an astronomical increase in wins, but it is an increase nonetheless. The Bears have a strong defense that, despite losing some contributors in free agency, still has its core in tact and added Robert Quinn to a pass rush that already features Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks. With even marginally improved quarterback play, the team could see a better result than they did in 2019.
The new CBA expanded the playoff bracket from 12 teams to 14, which increases the Bears chances of making the playoffs. If you round up the projected 8.5 wins, that gives them a record of 9-7, which could realistically be enough for them to sneak into the postseason.
