Super Bowl LX Sends a Clear Message to the Bears: Defense Wins Championships
Watching Seattle’s defense dismantle New England in Super Bowl LX had to sting a little for Chicago Bears fans. Not because the Bears were close to being there themselves - but because it was a reminder of what elite defense looks like, and how far Chicago still has to go on that side of the ball.
Seattle didn’t just win the Super Bowl - they dominated it defensively. They held the Patriots scoreless for three quarters, racked up six sacks on rookie quarterback Drake Maye, forced three turnovers, and even put points on the board themselves. That’s not just a good day at the office - that’s a defensive clinic on the game’s biggest stage.
For new Bears head coach Ben Johnson, the takeaway from that performance should be crystal clear: if you want to play in February, you better bring a defense that can take over a game.
Bears Defense Was a Liability in 2025
Let’s not sugarcoat it - Chicago’s defense in 2025 was among the league’s worst. Dennis Allen’s unit finished 29th in total defense, allowing a staggering 361.8 yards per game.
They were 22nd against the pass, 27th against the run, and gave up 24.4 points per game - good for 23rd in the league. That’s not just underwhelming; it’s a recipe for staying home in January.
And while the Bears did lead the NFL in takeaways with 33 - a silver lining in an otherwise cloudy year - that stat alone wasn’t enough to mask the issues. Safety Kevin Byard had a strong year, leading the league with seven interceptions, but the defense as a whole lacked the consistency and bite needed to compete with top-tier offenses.
The Pass Rush Needs More Than Montez Sweat
The defensive line struggled to generate consistent pressure, and that’s putting it kindly. Montez Sweat was a bright spot, notching 10 of the team’s 35 total sacks - but when one player accounts for nearly a third of your sack production, that’s a problem. Only six teams had fewer sacks than the Bears last season.
Chicago needs another edge rusher - someone who can line up opposite Sweat and force offenses to pick their poison. Whether that help comes via free agency (names like Trey Hendrickson or Maxx Crosby have been floated) or through the NFL Draft, it doesn’t matter.
What matters is that it happens. Because without more heat up front, the rest of the defense will continue to be exposed.
Secondary Faces a Major Overhaul
Then there’s the secondary, which is heading into the offseason with more questions than answers. Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, C.J.
Gardner-Johnson, and Nahshon Wright are all set to hit free agency - and early signs suggest at least half of them won’t be back. That leaves Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon as the only dependable pieces in the defensive backfield, and even they can’t do it alone.
General manager Ryan Poles has his work cut out for him. Rebuilding a secondary isn’t just about plugging holes - it’s about finding players who can communicate, adjust, and execute together. The Bears need to bring in talent that not only fits their scheme but elevates the group as a whole.
The Blueprint Is There - Now It's About Execution
The Bears have some solid individual pieces on defense. There’s talent on the roster.
But the unit lacked cohesion in 2025. Outside of some red zone resilience, they simply didn’t play well as a group - and in the NFL, that disconnect can be the difference between a playoff push and another lost season.
Ben Johnson is known for his offensive mind, but if he wants to take the Bears where they haven’t been in decades, he’ll need to prioritize the defense. Seattle just showed the league what a dominant defense can do on the biggest stage. Now it’s on Chicago to take that lesson to heart.
If the Bears can shore up the pass rush, reinforce the secondary, and get this defense playing like a unit instead of a collection of individuals, there’s no reason they can’t be in the Super Bowl conversation. But it starts with acknowledging the gap - and doing something about it.