The success of the 2010 Chicago Bears came as a surprise. While some expected five or six wins this year, there were others who expected less. Next season, however, the starting expectations will reflect the 2010 season.

“I think it raises expectations immediately for next year,” former Bear and current radio analyst, Tom Thayer said on the Mully and Hanley Show. “If you looked at the way they performed against the better teams they played, including the Greeen Bay Packers, they were really good, hard-fought football games.”

LISTEN: Tom Thayer On The Mully And Hanley Show

The expectations have been raised because there is obvious room for improvement. If the Bears can improve their offensive line, and get more offensive production, then a Super Bowl, or at least a repeat visit to the NFC Championship could be possible.

“The defense played really well and the offense played like an inexperienced offense, in which they are,” Thayer said. “You have to give them credit for the way they developed throughout the regular season, but in terms of offense in the NFL, they’re still very inexperienced.”

Good, experienced offensive linemen don’t usually find their way onto the free agent market. So the experience might have to be developed from within.

But after reaching the NFC Championship this year, the offensive line has already made huge strides in the terms of experience from where they were at this time last year.