If you’re looking for another reason to be optimistic about the Chicago Bears’ chances in 2018, then you’ve come to the right place. Only we’re not talking draft picks, new coaches, free agents, or returning faces, we’re talking about travel arrangements.

Traveling these days is no where near as rugged as it was in the early years of the NFL, but we’re still talking about three hundred pound men boarding a flight for several hours. The less time aboard a plane (even a chartered plane) the better.

In a recent article by CBS Sports, they listed out the travel miles for each NFL team in 2018. The team amassing the most road trip miles will be the Oakland Raiders at 31,732, with the least amount of distance travelling belonging to the Carolina Panthers at only 6,938.

The Bears land at number 22 with 12,836 miles, and they are just ahead of the Green Bay Packers at 21 with 12,890 miles. The Detroit Lions travel the most among the NFC North teams with 14,486 miles (16th overall), with the Minnesota Vikings checking in at 17th with 14,328.

Is there a small benefit to be gleaned from less wear and tear on the Bears’ bodies?

Maybe, maybe not, but with no postseason games since 2010 the Bears will take any advantage they can get.