Success can be defined in different ways depending on the situation. Since we're talking sports, wins matter and is the ultimate success, but that's the end goal. There are short-term goals required before getting in a position to win games. The Chicago Bears went 3-14 in 2022, but the franchise's intention was to strip the roster down to the bare minimum, start establishing a culture, and determine which players would be a part of their future. Winning was secondary because the state of the roster lacked talent, and the outlook of the salary cap was awful.
Chicago's 2022 season was wildly successful if you look at it as the first step in a journey.