There's a lot of pessimism among Chicago Bears fans these days. After six straight years of missing the playoffs, the Bears entered free agency with tons of salary-cap space, but none of their signings -- except for quarterback Mike Glennon -- created much of a buzz. Chicago then proceeded to draft Mitchell Trubisky (unlikely to play in 2017) second overall and used three of their next four picks on players from below the FBS level.

Throw in a difficult schedule where the Bears face Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and Green Bay to open the season, and most believe another year of doom and gloom is on the horizon.

@DickersonESPN There are alot of negative predictions for the #Bears , rightfully so. Can you paint a picture for the best case senario in 2017?

— Kyle Green (@KMGreen6) May 11, 2017

Jeff Dickerson: Full disclosure, Kyle: I picked the Bears to finish 6-10 when the NFL released the regular-season schedule last month.

On paper, the Bears look like the third- or fourth-best team in the NFC North, but a lot can change between May and September.

Again -- in the interest of full disclosure -- I was lukewarm on the Glennon signing in free agency, but the more I learn about him from people around the league, particularly in Tampa where he spent four seasons, the more I'm starting to think the Bears got a decent quarterback for what is essentially a one-year guarantee. Now, Glennon doesn't matter as much anymore in the long run because of Trubisky, but Glennon is the starter in 2017. So, in theory, if Glennon plays well, which is entirely possible, the Bears might be OK.

For Glennon to play well, though, the offensive line has to protect him. The best-case scenario is that right guard Kyle Long returns from that nasty ankle injury and looks like his old self, left guard Josh Sitton resembles the player he was in Green Bay, center Cody Whitehair builds on a highly successful rookie campaign, and tackles Charles Leno and Bobby Massie are serviceable enough to keep Glennon upright.

Barring injury, Jordan Howard, who should be in better condition this year, seems like a safe bet to crack 1,000 yards rushing.

If Zach Miller stays healthy, he's more than capable of catching 50 passes, and he will be part of an improved group of tight ends with the signing of starter Dion Sims ($6 million guaranteed in 2017) and second-round pick Adam Shaheen.

Wide receiver requires a huge leap of faith, but Cameron Meredith proved last season that he's solid, and Markus Wheaton put up good numbers in Pittsburgh two years ago. I have no idea what to make of Kevin White or Kendall Wright, but best case is that one of them makes an impact.

On defense, the Bears' secondary is bound to improve with additions Quintin Demps, Price Amukamara and Marcus Cooper. How can it be worse than a group that intercepted only eight passes last year?

If the Bears are lucky, Pernell McPhee, Willie Young and Lamarr Houston all stay healthy at outside linebacker, and Leonard Floyd -- the ninth overall choice in 2016 -- is more consistent after sacking the quarterback seven times as a rookie.

Inside linebacker Danny Trevathan is facing a difficult recovery from a torn patellar tendon, but if he makes it back, the Bears are in good shape at ILB with Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman and Nick Kwiatkoski, all of whom can play.

The Bears need 2016 third-round pick Jonathan Bullard to take a major step up front, but defensive linemen Eddie Goldman (when healthy) and Akiem Hicks are proven starters with upside.

Basically, a ton of stuff has to fall in place for the Bears to dig out of the division cellar. Is it likely to happen? Probably not. Is it impossible? No.

No one predicted the Bears would finish 13-3 in 2001. Or 11-5 in 2005. Crazier things have happened.

That's the best advice I can give, Kyle.