Every NFL offseason presents its fair share of overreactions, contenders, and pretenders. The list goes on and on. Let's look at three of the top overreactions heading into this NFL offseason.
The Chicago Bears are primed to win it all
Hold your horses on that one. I'm not saying the team hasn't made the right personnel moves among players and coaches, but I think the Bears may still be a couple of seasons from being a true Super Bowl contender. I am not factoring in the team's relocation, which could put a major damper on things. I am talking about development not being linear. Especially with young QBs like Caleb Williams. I know he isn't a rookie, but even the most elite ones need multiple seasons. Drake Maye could be the exception.
The Bears were dubbed the "Cardiac Bears" for their remarkable record in one-score games. That is the type of success that propels you, and a taste of playoff victory over the bitter rival Green Bay Packers helps fuel it as well. It just may be a couple of more seasons before we crown them a prime candidate for the Super Bowl. There is a big difference between progress and contention. Bears fans deserve a chance to celebrate before the move to Indiana.
We are declaring the Dallas Cowboys "different this time" once again
The Cowboys were very, very inconsistent this past season. Injuries put a damper on a few individuals, but a name like George Pickens had a career year and proved that he is "the guy" to help space the field across from CeeDee Lamb. Bright spots were there, yes. In back-to-back weeks, they beat the Chiefs and Eagles, then lost to the Cardinals. A record of 7-9-1 for any organization is considered a failure, but the stakes are always higher in Dallas.
Until Dallas proves it in January, skepticism is justified. Playoff success—not regular season wins—is the standard. The Cowboys have mastered the hype, but not the postseason success. Once again, fans will be all in during the draft and mini-camp, but the product on the field needs to give them a reason to be optimistic, not pessimistic.
Writing off Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs is a mistake
The Chiefs started the season 0-2, and everyone wrote them off. Then, they would come back and look like the Chiefs again by rattling off five wins out of their next six games. Then, the season would end on a six-game losing streak, while losing eight out of their last nine games to end the season. I get it, it was bad, but the Chiefs dealt with many personnel issues, injuries, in-house drama, etc. Going 6-11 is very rare in the Patrick Mahomes era.
The Chiefs have been declared dead, but do not be surprised if Mahomes returns from the torn ACL/LCL and wills the Chiefs back into the AFC title game. It looks as if Travis Kelce will be back as well. History has shown that dynasties do not end cleanly, but the Chiefs with Andy Reid is a different beast.
Playoff losses and offensive slumps have not warranted a throwing-in-the-towel moment yet, and may not for a few years.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: These 3 NFL overreactions are already out of control