The Bears are leaning hard into continuity for 2026, and their captain group makes that pretty clear.
Chicago announced five captains for the season: Caleb Williams, Joe Thuney, Grady Jarrett, TJ Edwards and Cairo Santos. Edwards is the only new name in the mix, stepping into the spot previously held by safety Kevin Byard III. Coach Johnson said the selections were voted on by the players, which says plenty about how this group is viewed inside the building.
That kind of vote matters. These aren’t just names on a graphic or voices for game day speeches. In Chicago, captaincy stretches into the locker room and onto the practice field, and the Bears have spread that responsibility across every part of the roster.
Williams is the obvious face of the group. The 24-year-old quarterback is heading into his third season as the Bears’ primary signal caller and his second under Ben Johnson. He’s been a captain since his first season in Chicago, and that run continues after arriving as the undisputed first overall selection in that draft.
Thuney brings a different kind of weight. He’s one of the most experienced active players in the league, and one of the most accomplished too.
Since entering the NFL in 2016, he’s been a steady upgrade for every offensive line he’s touched, and his presence has helped protect some of the game’s elite quarterbacks. For a younger player trying to find his footing, that kind of background is invaluable.
Jarrett gives the defense a captain on the front line, where effort and physicality usually set the tone. He spent his first 10 NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and was a longtime captain there. Jarrett was also twice nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which fits the broader picture of what he’s brought both on and off the field.
Edwards is back in a familiar role. He’s already been a Bears captain before, so this isn’t new territory for him. He’s established himself as a leader since arriving in Chicago, and with a developing secondary in 2026, his voice should carry real value.
Santos rounds out the group as the lone special teams representative. Kickers can be easy to overlook until the misses pile up, and Santos has given the Bears stability since 2020. He’s also the first Brazilian-born player in NFL history, adding another layer to a profile built on reliability and consistency.
Taken together, the group reflects what the Bears are trying to build under Ben Johnson: trust, balance and leadership chosen by the players themselves. These are captains picked for what they mean inside the team, not just for the names on the back of the jersey.
In Other News...
Caleb Williams Fans Just Got New Fuel In The QB Debate
Drake Mayes Week 1 debut did not exactly quiet the quarterback debate from the 2024 class. In a loss to the Seahawks, he threw three interceptions, including the one that ended the game, and was outplayed by backup Drew Lock after Sam Darnold left early with an injury. For Bears fans keeping tabs on the rookie class, it was the kind of opener that immediately sharpened the contrast with Caleb Williams.
Williams enters a far less demanding start to his season, and that alone has kept the comparison alive. Some fans already see him as the superior quarterback from the 2024 group, and Mayes rough first impression only gave that argument more oxygen. The season is just beginning, of course, but the early returns have added a little more weight to every Caleb Williams conversation in Chicago. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Defensive Depth Chart Is Getting Mocked For One Big Reason
The Bears Week 1 defensive depth chart has a few familiar anchors, with Montez Sweat and Grady Jarrett expected to set the tone up front and Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson positioned to help stabilize the secondary. Devin Bush also stands out as an upgrade at linebacker over Tremaine Edmunds, giving Chicago a different look in the middle of the defense as the season opens.
What has drawn the most attention, though, is how the chart handles Jordan van den Berg. Even without a prominent listing, he is expected to have a meaningful role, which has led to plenty of second-guessing about how the Bears are arranging their front. For a group trying to project confidence before Week 1, the reactions are a reminder that the official order on paper does not always match how the snaps are likely to be distributed. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Open With A Caleb Williams Question Fans Were Hoping To Avoid
Braxton Jones will open the season where the Bears need stability most, with the veteran tackle named the starter at left tackle for Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers. It is a notable development for an offensive line still trying to settle in around Caleb Williams, because protecting the quarterbacks blind side has been one of the biggest early-season questions hanging over the offense.
Ben Johnson said injured tackle Ozzy Trapilo is making positive progress, but his return does not appear imminent, which leaves Jones in position to handle the job for now. For Chicago, the bigger issue is not just who starts Sunday, but how long the Bears can keep that spot from turning into another weekly conversation at one of the most important positions on the field. [Read more 🡒]