Football season is here, and the excitement is palpable. Not only has a long-awaited college football video game been released after a decade-long hiatus, but NFL training camps are also underway. As we enter this thrilling time of the year, it’s fitting to kick off training camp with a Four Verts column, previewing the first four teams to open full camp, each with their own high expectations.
First up is the Chicago Bears, who are slowly rebuilding their once dominant defense. While the headline may be a touch exaggerated, there is no denying that the Bears’ defense is poised to be formidable this year. Last season, they stumbled out of the gate, ranking 31st in expected points allowed per play (0.223) during the first four weeks, according to rbsdm.com. Only the Denver Broncos fared worse during that period, even surrendering a staggering 70 points to the Miami Dolphins. It was a rough start for the Bears, but things have turned around.
Linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards began showcasing their skills and living up to their high-value contracts, while the Bears’ young secondary provided reliable performances. Additionally, the team’s defensive line started to show promising depth. However, it was the acquisition of pass rusher Montez Sweat from the Commanders in exchange for a second-round draft pick that truly elevated their defensive performance. Sweat made an immediate and significant impact, resulting in the Bears ranking fifth in expected points allowed per play (-0.110) during the final nine games of the season when he was on the team last year.
This is a significant improvement, and it’s the type of progress that head coach Matt Eberflus needed to silence critics and maintain job security. If the defense can continue performing at the level they did towards the end of the 2023 season, the Bears have a real chance at having their most memorable season in a long time. Every level of the defense now has reliable playmakers, with Sweat on the line, Edmunds and Edwards in the second level, and Brisker, Johnson, and Stevenson in the secondary. These players provide a solid foundation for a strong defense.
Additionally, the team has depth that can potentially develop into quality players. Tackles Dexter and Pickens, end Booker, and cornerback Gordon all have the potential to contribute effectively. Gordon, in particular, made significant strides towards becoming a dependable player last year after a challenging rookie season.
While there is much discussion surrounding Caleb Williams and the exciting changes in the offense, his rookie year will undoubtedly be enhanced if the Bears’ defense can meet expectations. Fortunately, there is little cause for concern when it comes to the Bears’ defensive prowess. They have already demonstrated their ability to excel, and with young players gaining experience, there is room for improvement. Additionally, the team will continue to operate under the same scheme and coach, further solidifying their potential. Unless hindered by injuries, the Bears have the opportunity to establish themselves as one of the top defenses in the league.
The success of the Ravens now heavily relies on their overhauled backfield.
Despite their successful season, which saw them come close to reaching the Super Bowl, the Ravens are facing some changes on their offense. Key players such as John Simpson, Kevin Zeitler, and Morgan Moses have left the team, along with running back Gus Edwards who reunited with his former offensive coordinator Greg Roman in Los Angeles. Losing these experienced players has definitely impacted the strength of the Ravens’ offense, which was one of the league’s best last year.
However, the Ravens still have the advantage of having Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP quarterback, leading their team. Additionally, they have the incredible talent of Derrick Henry at running back, making them arguably the most formidable running game duo in the entire league. If the Ravens want to make it back to the AFC title game, they will heavily rely on the exceptional skills of their superstar backfield.
The Ravens’ offensive line has undergone a significant overhaul, opting for potential over experience. Four of their projected starters (Andrew Vorhees, Tyler Linderbaum, Ben Cleveland, and Roger Rosengarten) are on rookie deals. Among them, Linderbaum is the sole young player with substantial starting experience, which will prove crucial as they integrate a new unit. Ronnie Stanley’s career has been marred by injuries, but if he’s trending in the right direction, it would greatly benefit the line.
Given the circumstances, expectations for the offensive line should be tempered, placing more pressure on the quarterback and running back. However, this strategy could work in their favor, especially with Lamar Jackson under center and Derrick Henry in the backfield.
Henry has defied the odds by maintaining his effectiveness despite shouldering an immense workload. Over the past five seasons, he has consistently led the league in carries, yet he has never failed to reach 1,000 rushing yards and has consistently scored double-digit touchdowns since 2017. While this may not be a precise analysis of efficient running back play, it highlights Henry’s ability to handle a heavy workload, which will likely be required of him once again. With Jackson on the team, Henry will benefit from a more dynamic offense, which should alleviate some pressure on him as he adjusts to playing behind a relatively inexperienced offensive line.
The Ravens have some pressing questions to address beyond their backfield. While tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely form one of the league’s top duos, the wide receiver position is a bit uncertain. Though Zay Flowers emerged as a breakout star in his rookie season and is expected to receive numerous targets this year, the Ravens still need improved performances from Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor to maintain their momentum from last season.
In order to compensate for their uncertainties, the Ravens will likely rely heavily on the dynamic duo of Jackson and Henry, utilizing their skills to overcome any shortcomings as they navigate the transition to the next era of their offense. Last season, with new offensive coordinator Todd Monken at the helm, the Ravens experienced a much-needed change in their offensive approach. The success of their 2024 campaign will largely depend on how well Jackson and Henry can execute and dictate the team’s offensive strategy.
Meanwhile, the Texans’ defense will need to make significant strides in 2024.
The Houston Texans have become the talk of the town this season, generating immense excitement and anticipation. And the reason behind it all? None other than C.J. Stroud.
As a rookie, Stroud proved himself to be one of the finest quarterbacks in the NFL. His exceptional performance prompted the Texans to adopt a “win now” mentality, resulting in significant trades for Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon during the offseason. Additionally, they managed to retain the invaluable services of offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who was sought after for various head coaching positions.
While Houston’s offense is expected to be a formidable unit, their success throughout the season will not solely rely on it. In order to surpass formidable opponents like the Ravens and Chiefs in the playoffs, the defense must show significant improvement in their second year under the guidance of head coach DeMeco Ryans.
When it comes to coaching, the Texans have no reason to worry about their current position. Ryans, their defensive coordinator, is highly regarded in the league for his creativity and expertise. Under his guidance, young players like Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. have had impressive seasons. Although the Texans’ lack of experience and depth has been a challenge (as evidenced by their 3-13-1 record in 2022), the foundation for a consistently strong defense is in place. In 2023, they performed at an average level defensively, which is somewhat encouraging considering their previous struggles. It’s worth noting that the Texans also acquired veteran star edge rusher Danielle Hunter, who will undoubtedly form a formidable pass-rushing duo with Anderson.
The Texans have some areas of concern, particularly in the core of their defense. Despite having experienced veterans in the interior line, there seems to be a lack of impact players in that position group. The linebacker unit showed inconsistency last season, but the Texans are banking on the trio of Azeez Al-Shaair, Christian Harris, and Henry To’oTo’o to step up. If at least one of these players shows significant improvement from last year, it would greatly benefit the Texans’ defense.
The cornerback situation in Houston is worth paying attention to. Stingley is undoubtedly one of the top corners in the NFL and has a secure position. However, the Texans will have to rely on rookie Kamari Lassiter and Desmond King to fill the other spots. Both Lassiter and King are more suited for slot coverage, so it will be interesting to see how they are utilized considering their similar skill sets. With little depth beyond these three, the Texans will need luck with injuries as there is a significant drop-off in talent.
This season will be crucial for Ryans to showcase his ability to develop talent. There is a lot of potential on this defense, and at the very least, the Texans should excel in generating sacks and turnovers thanks to their talented roster. However, consistent performance from play to play may need improvement, and that’s where Ryans can make his mark.
So, what truly matters for the Chiefs?
Following their Super Bowl victory last season, the Kansas City Chiefs have established themselves as a dominant force in the NFL. Despite their flaws and the challenges they faced on offense, they managed to overcome all obstacles and defeat one of the most talented teams in the league. To further strengthen their wide receiver corps, the Chiefs drafted Xavier Worthy and signed Hollywood Brown, enhancing their offensive capabilities. Although the addition of Worthy and Brown may not seem significant on its own, when combined with the exceptional talents of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, anything is possible for the Chiefs.
Despite the Chiefs’ imperfections and unanswered questions on offense, their chances of winning a third consecutive Super Bowl championship remain a significant consideration. Uncertainties surround the left tackle battle and their capabilities, as well as how well they can integrate smaller receivers Brown and Worthy. Additionally, there is the question of whether Jared Wiley can step up if Travis Kelce starts to show signs of aging. The running game also needs to regain its effectiveness as a valuable component of the offense. While the Chiefs have flaws, the ultimate question is whether these factors will truly impact their pursuit of a three-peat as Super Bowl champions.
The Chiefs’ defense is expected to remain one of the league’s best. Andy Reid continues to devise an effective offense. And let’s not forget about Patrick Mahomes. While winning three consecutive Super Bowls would be extremely challenging, the Chiefs demonstrated last year that their regular season performance does not dictate their potential in the playoffs. Slowing down an offense led by Mahomes is always a daunting task, and once the one-game playoffs begin, anything can happen.
This is not merely a deep analysis or breakdown, but rather a philosophical question. Even if the Chiefs were to start the season 0-5, no one would dismiss their chances of ultimately winning the Super Bowl. They occupy a different realm. With Patrick Mahomes at the helm, the conventional rules do not apply to them, despite some concerns about their roster. Underestimate them at your own peril. However, there is currently no reason to doubt their capabilities.