As the Chicago Bears gear up for the 2026 NFL season, there's a palpable sense of optimism in the Windy City. Coming off an impressive 2025 campaign, the Bears are setting their sights on a Super Bowl run. But how do they plan to build on last year's success?
Stability has been the name of the game this offseason for Chicago. Instead of making splashy moves, the Bears have opted to maintain a steady course, with key additions like safety Coby Bryant, linebacker Devin Bush, and wide receiver Kalif Raymond bolstering their roster. However, if there's a chink in their armor, it's the pass rush department.
Montez Sweat was a standout last season, racking up 10 sacks, but the rest of the squad struggled to match his production. The Bears have chosen to rely on the development of younger players like Shemar Turner and Austin Booker rather than bringing in new faces to the pass rush unit.
Enter Josh Sweat, a seasoned edge rusher who could be the missing piece in the Bears' defensive puzzle. Currently on the trade block, Sweat's recent performance with the Arizona Cardinals-where he notched 12 sacks and 13 tackles for loss over 17 games-makes him an enticing prospect for Chicago.
The potential acquisition of Josh Sweat could create a formidable duo with Montez Sweat, combining for an impressive 22 sacks last season. Such a pairing would undoubtedly elevate the Bears' defense to one of the league's most feared units. While acquiring Sweat won't come cheap, the Cardinals might be motivated to trade if the edge rusher remains discontented with his current situation.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, the Bears face a challenging NFC North. With the Packers and Lions poised to compete and the Vikings retooling with a new quarterback, the path to the division title won't be a walk in the park. However, with Caleb Williams proving his mettle as a franchise quarterback and a talented receiving corps featuring Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, and Colston Loveland, the Bears' offense is primed for another stellar year.
Should the Bears successfully trade for Josh Sweat, their chances of contending in 2026 only grow stronger. It's a move that could solidify their status as real-deal Super Bowl contenders, making the upcoming season one to watch for Chicago fans.
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Cardinals Face A Risky Decision On Two Young Cornerstones
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Wilson, in particular, has a path that could be shaped by patience if he goes through another season and boosts his standing. Johnsons situation is trickier because the Cardinals have to weigh a major investment against the fact that he has not played a full season since his rookie year. With Arizona still trying to sort out its broader direction after a rough run, these are the kinds of calls that can say as much about a teams confidence in its own evaluation as they do about the players themselves. [Read more 🡒]
One Rams Offseason Question Suddenly Matters More Than Ever
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The bigger issue for Los Angeles may be how much it has to protect that window if the roster keeps getting more expensive in the wrong places. The backup quarterback battle has not produced an obvious winner yet, but there is no immediate alarm there. The more delicate question is on the defensive front, where Kobie Turner has become the kind of player teams hate to lose track of because a contract extension could change the way the Rams have to budget for everything else around him. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Fans Just Got The Offseason Reset They Dreaded
Arizonas offseason reset has been less of a splash than a scramble, with the Cardinals coming off a 3-14 finish and trying to rebuild around a new coach after firing Jonathan Gannon. Mike LaFleur now inherits the job, and the early moves have been cautious: the team kept veteran Jacoby Brissett in place under center and used the draft to add rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, giving the roster at least one fresh piece to build around.
LaFleurs arrival comes with real questions attached, since this is his first shot at running a team and his reputation is still being shaped after time working under Sean McVay in Los Angeles. Arizona also brought in Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator, a hire that adds another layer of intrigue to a staff that will be judged quickly in a division where patience is rarely part of the equation. For Cardinals fans, the bigger issue is whether this reset actually points to a cleaner future, or just another transition year with more uncertainty than answers. [Read more 🡒]