We know how well Matt Eberflus dominates bad quarterbacks, but how many will he face this year?
Last season, when Matt Eberflus’ defense played a mediocre quarterback, they dominated. But when they played one of the league’s better quarterbacks, they struggled in almost every game — look no further than the Chargers game with Justin Herbert.
This season, the Chicago Bears offense looks much improved, but the defense is returning almost the exact same squad as they had in 2024. The Bears’ young secondary could improve and open the door for better performances against better quarterbacks but it’s worth examining what QBs are on the schedule and which ones set up the Bears’ defense well for a dominating performance.
Here’s a look at what QBs are on the Bears’ schedule starting from worst to best.
14. JJ McCarthy/Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
I think the Vikings have the worst quarterback situation (for this season) of any team on the schedule. McCarthy is a QB that would appear to be a QB that isn’t going to step in and play well as a rookie. He will need time to develop and he may need some more seasoning on the bench before he starts playing regularly.
As for Darnold, if the Vikings send him out as a bridge and let McCarthy learn on the bench, that’s not a name that’s going to strike fear into the hearts of, well, anyone.
13. Will Levis, Tennessee Titans
I’ll be honest, Levis played better in limited action than I expected him to. That limited success is what catapulted him above the Vikings. Levis is now the clear starter in Nashville and he will have an opportunity this season to prove he’s a legitimate QB1 in the NFL. I still have my doubts, which is why he falls below several other inexperienced quarterbacks.
12. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Our first rookie on the list is Maye who, while I like better than Daniels overall as a prospect, I think Daniels has a better chance to have success early, especially when you look at what Maye has around him on offense. I think the smart move for New England is to allow Maye to sit, not because he isn’t capable of playing, but because his surroundings could give him a brutal season like Bryce Young or even David Carr if you go back further.
11. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
While I have significant doubts that Young will ever develop into a top-15 quarterback in the NFL, I do think he’s probably going to be better than he showed last season. There was so much dysfunction within the organization, substandard talent on offense, and a lot of vanilla playcalling that just didn’t give Young much of a boost. If Young is going to be a success in Carolina, he needs to take several steps forward this year to give that franchise any hope.
10. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Daniels is the 3rd rookie on the list and checks in at number 10 here. I have my doubts that Daniels has what it takes to become an elite NFL QB (too long to discuss here), but I do think he steps into a decent position with some talent around him and can have some success as a rookie.
9. Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
It’s honestly pretty remarkable that Richardson is ahead of five quarterbacks. He flashed a little in his limited action last year, but his position on this list shows just how many inexperienced QBs are on this list (three rookies, four second-year starters). Richardson has a solid supporting cast and while he didn’t get many reps this year, he is poised to have a strong second season.
8. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
I think Smith is going to fade this year and I wouldn’t even be shocked if Sam Howell overtakes him as the starter before the Bears face Seattle in late December. Smith has been a nice story in Seattle, but his 2023 wasn’t as good as his 2022 and now he loses his offensive coordinator that he had so much success with. Smith being eighth on this list is more about the inexperience behind him than it is about his skill.
7. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
We’ve reached the top half of the list and this is where the talent starts to improve. Kyler Murray may not be an elite QB, but he’s a solid quarterback who is a gifted athlete and is capable of putting up big numbers. With a stronger supporting staff around him this year, Murray could be set to have one of, if not the best season of his career.
6. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Goff’s last two seasons have been the best statistically of his career. He’s excelled under Ben Johnson’s offense and he’s now $200 million richer because of it. The key to Goff: get him under pressure. The Bears have managed to do that pretty well, especially last season, and they’ve had Goff’s number because of it.
5. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
What’s remarkable about Purdy is that he has 21 career starts which makes him more experienced than eight quarterbacks on this list. Many fans and analysts around the league question Purdy’s overall abilities and think his success is largely only because of Kyle Shanahan, but Purdy’s ability to stand tall in the pocket, make the right reads, play on time, and execute the offense is outstanding and will keep him playing at a high level in this league for a long time.
4. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
I go back and forth on Purdy and Love and who should be ranked higher, but right now I think Love’s physical gifts keep him a little above Purdy even if Purdy has had a little more success at the NFL level. Love had a remarkable second half of the season and is poised to take another step forward this year and push to become a top-ten quarterback in the league. It will be interesting to see if a year of tape on him helps defensive coordinators defend him better this season.
3. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s nice that the Bears don’t face any top-five QBs this season (last year they faced two), but they do face three top-ten quarterbacks and Lawrence is the first on the list. Lawrence hasn’t quite been as successful as analysts expected him to be, but he’s still a strong quarterback and one that the Bears will be facing at “home” in London where the Jaguars are far more comfortable playing.
2. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
I still have nightmares of what Stafford (and Sean McVay) did to the Bears in week one of 2021. Stafford was unstoppable that night and showed just what a lethal combo he and McVay would be (and they have a Lombardi to prove it). Stafford has aged a good deal since 2021 but he’s still an excellent quarterback who manages to make plays seemingly when there’s nothing there. If Stafford’s age catches up with him, he could easily slip further down this list as the season progresses.
1. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
The top quarterback on this list is the man Caleb Williams will square off against in week two on Sunday Night Football. Stroud’s rookie season was the greatest the league has ever seen and there’s no telling what kind of ceiling he has at this point. Stroud and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik have tremendous chemistry and the Texans only added to the team around Stroud. If the Texans are Super Bowl contenders this year, Stroud will most likely be in the MVP conversation.
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