Former NFL head coach Dave Wannstedt Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Former NFL head coach Dave Wannstedt is more 'optimistic' about the Chicago Bears than he has been 'in the last 10 years'

It has not been a great run for the Chicago Bears as of late. The team last went to the Super Bowl in 2007 (where they lost the Indianapolis Colts) and their last appearance before that--during the "Monsters of the Midway" era--dates further back to 1985. Chicago hasn't even won a playoff game since 2010, and the organization is back to square one this season, featuring a new head coach and general manager.

Despite very little positives present for Bears' followers to hold onto, former NFL head coach Dave Wannstedt has a more hopeful outlook for this current iteration of the team.

Recently writing on The 32nd Team, a website full of features from former NFL coaches and executives, Wannstedt revealed that he's actually high on the Bears moving forward.

"This is the most optimistic I have felt about the Chicago Bears in the last 10 years," he wrote.

For Wannstedt, it comes down to Chicago's fresh start and the emphasis the organization has put on young players with high upside. New general manager Ryan Poles wasn't afraid to undergo massive turnover and start over in Chicago. He's building things his way and with his coach, defensive-minded first-time head coach Matt Eberflus.

"I think new general manager Ryan Poles is doing a great job. The easiest thing he could do was to be sentimental and keep Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks and Danny Trevathan, and some of these older players that have been banged up a little bit but can still play at a high level," Wannstedt wrote. "On the other side of the ball, Poles has gone with a complete youth movement. Led by Justin Fields, the youth is prevalent everywhere. The Bears let their one veteran weapon leave in Allen Robinson, but they still have talent in RB David Montgomery and TE Cole Kmet.

"Without doing what their front office has done, their offense would’ve been maturing and getting better and better and then a year or two from now they would’ve had to deal with these defensive guys from a contract standpoint. You look at that roster, and it’s filled with young players pretty much across the board. I like that part of it. They are going to grow together."

Chicago will have a ton of growing to do, especially as the team transitions from the 3-4 defense to Eberflus' 4-3 scheme.

With that said, the Bears do have a young quarterback with high upside in Fields, and they did spend their first two draft picks on young defensive players in corner Kyler Gordan (Pick No. 39) and safety Jaquan Brisker (Pick No. 48).

"I like what they are doing. They are really excited about their rookies. There are a lot of positives going forward," Wannstedt said.

Wannstedt was the head coach of the Bears from 1993 to 1998.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Thursday's NCAA men's tournament Sweet 16 takeaways: New faces going to the Elite Eight
Did breakup with J-Lo cost Alex Rodriguez the Timberwolves?
Draymond Green explains what happened with his latest ejection
Rob Manfred makes first public comments on MLB’s Shohei Ohtani investigation
Watch: Mike Trout hits first home run of 2024 MLB season off Corbin Burnes
Jets owner blasts report about alleged 'heated conversation' with HC Robert Saleh
Browns GM names player he wants to 'retain as long as possible'
UNC HC Mack Brown explains why ceiling for QB Drake Maye is 'so high'
Watch: Massive three-point swing helps No. 4 Alabama stun No. 1 North Carolina in Sweet 16
Watch: Diamondbacks set franchise record with 14-run inning
UConn continues historic run of dominance after rout of San Diego State
No. 2 Arizona beat themselves in Sweet 16 upset to No. 6 Clemson
Watch: Rangers' World Series banner unveiling leaves a lot to be desired
Watch: Kendall Diggs' three-run blast lifts Arkansas to victory over LSU
Watch: Juan Soto cuts down runner at plate to save game for Yankees
Royals' Cole Ragans sets franchise record in impressive Opening Day start
Guardians trade for two pitchers to round out Opening Day roster
Patrick Beverley's decision to play through his injury is a boost for Bucks
Corbin Burnes dominates in Orioles debut, significantly raises their ceiling
Watch: Base running error spoils Shohei Ohtani's first home Dodgers at-bat