[quote]By Prashant Shankar
Online Writer
Graphic by Ana Bicolli
White teams: playoff teams Orange teams: non-playoff teams[/quote]

The Chicago Bears ended the 2014 season 5-11, decided to fire everyone, and start from scratch. This year, they finished 6-10, but showed improvement in almost every aspect of football. With another season for General Manager Ryan Pace and Coach John Fox to continue rebuilding, there’s reason to remain optimistic about the Bears’ future.

It’s hard to stay positive about a 6-10 record, but few realize that the Bears had the hardest schedule in the NFL this year. The Bears had to face seven different playoff teams, including the Packers and Vikings twice. Next year, they have the second easiest schedule in the NFL, and only have to face four playoff teams: the Texans, Redskins, Packers and Vikings. A FAR easier schedule will put the Bears in prime position to win more than six games.

Fans also overlook how close the Bears kept it in each game. Since week four of the regular season, every Bear’s loss, except one, came within six points or less. Nearly every game this season was a nail biter, but the Bears just didn’t have the player talent to seal up a win. Good coaching can only help so much, but another season of getting used to coaching and signing new talent will bring the Bears further than they went in 2015.

Speaking of talent, that was something the Bears lacked all year, even with great players on their roster. Even if you don’t count Kevin White (who was placed on injured reserve before the season started), Jay Cutler’s top three wide receivers, Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal, and Marquess Wilson, all played together for only three games. The amount of injuries made it hard for the Bears to execute their game plan all year, but Kevin White coming back from injury and an offseason of rest can ensure that the Bears will come into week one of 2016 healthy.

Even without Kevin White this season, Bears rookies still made a considerable impact. Second round pick Eddie Goldman had four and a half sacks, the second most out of any nose tackle in the NFL. Fifth round pick Adrian Amos had 57 tackles and was an impact safety, something the Bears have lacked for years. Fourth round pick Jeremy Langford had 537 rushing yards as Forte’s backup, and appears to be the starting running back for next year with Forte leaving the Bears. Successful teams build from the draft, which is what the Bears are finally starting to do.