After a breakout season that saw the Chicago Bears win the NFC North and knock off the rival Green Bay Packers in the playoffs, there’s real momentum building in the Windy City. Under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears took a major step forward - and with much of their core returning, there's every reason to believe they’re just getting started.
At the center of it all is Caleb Williams. The young quarterback made noticeable strides in his second year, showing flashes of the elite talent that made him a No. 1 overall pick.
While his 58.1% completion rate last season leaves room for growth, that number doesn’t tell the whole story. Williams now enters his second season in Johnson’s offensive system - and that continuity matters.
With another offseason to build chemistry and refine timing, the expectation is that Williams will take another leap, especially with the supporting cast around him largely intact.
Offensively, this group has the tools. The Bears have built a solid foundation around their quarterback, and if they can stay healthy and continue to develop, they’ll be a tough out for any defense.
But it’s on the other side of the ball where the next big step needs to happen. Chicago is expected to be active this offseason in bolstering its defense - and if they can add a few difference-makers, this team could be looking at more than just a playoff appearance.
We’re talking about a legitimate run at the Lombardi.
That might sound bold to some. After all, the Bears didn’t crack the list of top Super Bowl threats in a recent ranking of contenders to dethrone the reigning champion Seattle Seahawks.
Instead, they were grouped in the “Outside Threats” category - alongside teams like the Jaguars, Texans, and Steelers. Of that group, only the Jaguars, Texans, and Bears made it past Wild Card Weekend.
And like the Bears, the Texans saw their playoff run end in the Divisional Round.
The reasoning? According to the ranking, both Chicago and Jacksonville “need to prove they weren't one-hit wonders with shiny new head coaches in 2025.”
It’s a fair challenge - consistency is the hallmark of real contenders. But it’s also worth noting that the Bears already passed a few major tests last season.
They handled the Packers in the postseason - no small feat, considering Green Bay is ranked No. 8 on the list of top threats. And while the Lions - ranked No. 5 - did sweep the Bears during the regular season, including a 52-21 rout, Detroit’s spot among the elite makes sense.
That said, Chicago’s convincing 24-15 win over the Eagles in Philadelphia raises some eyebrows. The Eagles are ranked as a stronger contender than the Bears, but that head-to-head result suggests the gap might not be as wide as some believe.
Should teams like the Chargers, Bengals, or Eagles really be ranked ahead of Chicago heading into 2026? That’s a conversation worth having. The Bears have shown they can beat good teams, and with another year under Johnson and continued growth from Williams, they’re poised to be even better.
The narrative heading into next season is clear: prove it wasn’t a fluke. The Bears have the talent, the coaching, and the momentum. Now it’s about stacking wins early, silencing the doubters, and showing that last year wasn’t the peak - it was just the beginning.