In the Windy City, hope for the Chicago Bears has always been tied to the quarterback position. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, with optimism soaring as high as a Jay Cutler bomb down the field, only to come crashing down just as fast as a Justin Fields scramble is snuffed out.
But could Caleb Williams, the highly-touted first overall pick in the NFL Draft, finally change the narrative for the Bears? Early indications are pointing in a positive direction, sparking excitement among fans.
Meanwhile, in Washington, the Commanders are placing their hopes on Jayden Daniels, while the New England Patriots are crossing their fingers that Drake Maye could be the one to fill the massive void left by the departure of the legendary Tom Brady. Could they have finally found their quarterback of the future?
As training camps wrap up across the league, The Athletic is introducing the inaugural NFL Hope-O-Meter. We’re asking fans to gauge their optimism for their favorite teams with a simple survey. Are you hopeful about the upcoming season? A straightforward yes or no answer is all we need, but we also want to hear why. While the quarterback is often the focal point, there are many factors that contribute to a team’s success.
The results from the Hope-O-Meter surveys will be tallied into “optimism scores” for each team. The best responses will be highlighted and shared before the season opener on September 5th, when the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens. A marquee matchup featuring two of the league’s top signal-callers, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.
Excitement is building as the NFL season draws nearer, with fans eagerly anticipating what lies ahead. The quarterback position remains at the forefront of discussions, but the Hope-O-Meter aims to capture the full spectrum of emotions and expectations for each team. Stay tuned for the latest updates and analysis as we countdown to kickoff.
(Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images)
