Bears Eye NFC As Coaching Carousel Shakes Up Conference Rivals
The Chicago Bears haven’t made a headline-grabbing move yet this offseason-but that doesn’t mean things aren’t breaking their way. In fact, as February kicks off, the Bears are quietly gaining ground in the NFC hierarchy, thanks to some major coaching shakeups around the conference.
The latest domino? Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is expected to take over as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. While the deal isn’t official just yet, all signs point to Kubiak heading to the desert, and that’s a development Bears fans should be watching closely.
Seattle’s offense was a juggernaut in 2025, putting up 29.2 points per game-second-best in the entire league. Kubiak’s fingerprints were all over that success, and his departure could leave a significant void. The Bears are scheduled to visit the Seahawks in 2026, and while Lumen Field is always a tough place to play, that matchup just got a little more manageable.
We’ve seen this story before. When Ben Johnson left Detroit for a head coaching job, the Lions' offense dropped off by five points per game.
The Eagles had a similar experience after losing Kellen Moore to the Saints-another five-point dip. That kind of drop-off matters, especially in a league where one score often decides the outcome.
So, what does this mean for Chicago? Simply put, the road to the top of the NFC is starting to clear.
The Bears are coming off a season where they proved they can hang with the conference’s best. Now, those same rivals-Seattle, Philadelphia, Green Bay-are dealing with major coaching turnover.
The timing couldn’t be better for a team looking to make a leap.
Of course, none of this guarantees anything. The Seahawks still have a talented roster, and they’ve earned respect after a strong 2025 campaign.
But losing a play-caller like Kubiak is no small thing. And unlike Detroit or Philly, Seattle doesn’t boast the same depth of offensive weapons to cushion the blow.
For the Bears, this is about more than just one game on the 2026 schedule. It’s about positioning.
Momentum. Opportunity.
The NFC is in flux, and Chicago is one of the few contenders entering the offseason with stability at the top. That matters.
There’s still a long way to go before Week 1. Free agency, the draft, and training camp will all shape how things shake out.
But right now, the Bears have every reason to feel optimistic. As rivals regroup and retool, Chicago is starting to look like a team ready to take the next step.
The window is opening. And if the Bears can capitalize, 2026 might just be the year they break through.