Chicago Bears 2024 Award Predictions: Who will be a first-time Pro Bowler?
Our staff are revealing their predictions for a few Bears 2024 season awards.
All week, we’ve been rolling our season predictions for the Chicago Bears in these six categories in a roundtable series.
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1) Offensive MVP
2) Defensive MVP
3) Breakout Player (Offense)
4) Breakout Player (Defense)
5) First-time Pro Bowler
6) Bounceback player
We’re up to number five in the series, so here are our predictions for which Chicago player will make his first Pro Bowl.
Dan Durkin
First-time Pro-Bowler: LB T.J. Edwards
Edwards was robbed last season. He won’t be this year. In his first year with the Bears, Edwards performed far above his pay grade. His 155 tackles led the team and were seventh-most in the league, he set career-highs in sacks (2.5), interceptions (3) and fumble recoveries (2). Compare his stats 2023 stats to Roquan Smith when you have some down time. You might be surprised by what you learn.
Aaron Leming
First-time Pro Bowler: Darnell Wright
Simply put, the Bears need Wright to become their best offensive lineman. When they drafted him at No. 10 overall last year, the prevailing thought was that he would hit the ground running. He struggled at times but the ceiling is easy to see. Especially with a rookie quarterback under center, Wright needs to take a considerable step in 2024, and I believe he’ll do just that.
Bryan Orenchuk
First-time Pro Bowler: Teven Jenkins, G
When healthy, Tev is arguably a top 5 G in the NFL. In a contract season with some better play at Center and the healthy return of Braxton Jones to his left, Teven is in a prime opportunity to show the league and this front office that he deserves to be paid like a top 5 guard.
Josh Sunderbruch
5) First-time Pro Bowler: I want to say Darnell Wright, but for a variety of reasons, I’m going to go with rookie punter Tory Taylor. A fair amount of the Pro Bowl is hype, and he has it (at least for a special teamer). Plus, the kid is really good.
Sam Householder
5) First-time Pro Bowler: Darnell Wright – Jenkins is a good pick, but with his health history I’m going with the second-year RT.
Taylor Doll
5) First-time Pro Bowler – DJ Moore- it’s wild to me that DJ Moore has never been selected as a Pro Bowler but this year will be when it finally happens for him. There is no denying his talents and how he lifts his offenses, and now, with Caleb Williams and an offense that caters to his strengths, people will notice.
Mongo Peanut
5) First-time Pro Bowler: Jaquan Brisker. I think Dexter gets snubbed in the Pro Bowl due to serious competition at the DT spot – but Brisker should have a clearer path to a Pro Bowl berth. Jaquan is going to continue to make splash plays throughout the season with takeaways and big hits in the backfield, and I think that will earn him a lot of Pro Bowl fanfare.
Mason West
5) First-time Pro Bowler: Caleb. Bear Claw Fever is real. I am calling my shot here.
Ryan Droste
First-time Pro Bowler: T Darnell Wright. I would like to go with Teven Jenkins here, but with his health concerns, I have to go to one of our other stud linemen in Wright. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had conversations with non-Bears fans who think our offensive line is trash and have no idea what kind of talent is already here, especially Wright. After a very good rookie year, that kind of flew under the radar because of the general narrative out there about the Bears’ O-line, the league will take more notice of his talent this year.
Jeff Berckes
5) First-time Pro Bowler: Darnell Wright. After a strong rookie campaign in which he played through a shoulder injury, Wright should start to get some national attention with the rising tide of the Bears’ offense.
Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.
5) First-time Pro Bowler: Darnell Wright, RT
There’s a good chance this team has a few first-timers, but if Wright develops like I believe he will, we’re looking at one of the best right tackles in the game today.
Now it’s your turn. Who will make his Pro Bowl debut?
