The Chicago Bears are headed into 2026 with a very different kind of spotlight on them. After winning the NFC North and finishing off an epic playoff comeback against the Green Bay Packers, they’re no longer the team sneaking up on people. Now the expectation is bigger: take control early and keep the division in hand.
That’s why the opening stretch of the schedule stands out so sharply. In their first five weeks, the Bears will face the Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, and Green Bay Packers. It’s a mix that gives Chicago a real chance to come flying out of the gate, with three matchups that look extremely favorable and one divisional meeting with Green Bay that could shape the race right away.
A 4-1 or even 5-0 start is very much on the table, and that kind of beginning would put the Bears in the driver’s seat in the NFC North before the season really settles in. It would also quiet the chatter about regression, which has become a popular talking point around the league.
That skepticism overlooks two things the Bears have working for them. First, the early schedule gives them a real opening. Second, the roster has young talent that is expected to take a leap, especially at several key position groups.
The Panthers and Vikings both look like games Chicago should be able to win, especially with the Bears holding an edge over two teams dealing with quarterback questions and rosters stuck in nuetral. If they handle those first two weeks, including that NFC North matchup, it sets up the tougher tests against the Eagles and Packers in a much better position.
Even with those tougher games in the middle of the stretch, the Jets offer a chance to stack another win and get to at least four victories in the opening weeks. That would be enough to create an early division cushion and put pressure on the Lions and Packers, who are both seen as contenders.
None of that means the road ahead is easy. It just means the Bears have a chance to grab control early, and if they do, this division could be theirs to hold onto for a while.
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Bears Training Camp Is Already Shaking Up A Key Roster Battle
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Bears Camp Sleeper Is Suddenly Making A Real Roster Push
Kaden Davis arrived in Chicago with the kind of rsum that usually keeps a player on the fringe, but training camp has a way of changing the conversation quickly. The recently signed receiver has bounced around the NFL since going undrafted in 2022, and his path has included work as a kickoff returner and on special teams, the sort of background that can help a player hang around even when the depth chart at receiver is crowded.
What has given Davis a real chance to stick is the way he is trying to carve out value beyond just catching passes. He is pushing for a roster spot through his special teams work, and the Bears also have reason to like his familiarity with Ben Johnson's offense, which gives him a cleaner path to earning trust in a camp where every rep seems to matter. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Camp Battles Are Starting To Change Who Really Matters
Training camp has a way of sorting out priorities fast, and for the Bears the picture is already shifting in a few key places. One of the most watched competitions is up front at left tackle, where several players are still trying to separate themselves, while roster battles are also unfolding at offensive line, running back, defensive tackle, linebacker and cornerback. On top of that, Zavion Thomas has been moving around during preseason practices, a sign the staff is looking for ways to expand his impact if he keeps stacking good days.
The secondary and receiver groups have added another layer of uncertainty, even before the final cuts start coming into focus. With one injury creating a new look at safety and the slot role still unsettled, Chicago is being forced to answer some important questions earlier than expected. Those openings can turn into opportunities quickly in camp, but they also make it clear that a few players who looked like depth pieces a week ago may be moving closer to the center of the conversation. [Read more 🡒]