If you’re looking for a one-sentence snapshot of the 2025 Chicago Bears, here it is: They’ve got their coach, they’ve got their quarterback, and for the first time in a long time, there’s real, tangible optimism surrounding Bears football.
And honestly, that about sums it up.
The Bears didn’t just turn a corner this past season-they kicked the door down. Under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, Chicago posted 11 wins, captured the NFC North crown, and took down the rival Packers in the playoffs. That’s not just a good season by recent Bears standards-that’s a statement.
At the heart of it all? Caleb Williams.
The rookie quarterback delivered on the hype, showing flashes of brilliance that made it clear why the Bears handed him the keys to the franchise. He wasn’t just making plays-he was making the plays.
The kind of throws that flip momentum, tilt fields, and make you believe a comeback is always in reach. And in the fourth quarter?
He was electric.
But Williams didn’t do it alone. Chicago’s offense finished third in the league in rushing, and that ground game was the engine that kept everything humming. Johnson’s system leaned into physicality and balance, and the Bears executed it with a mix of youthful explosiveness and veteran poise.
Speaking of youth, the rookie class delivered in a big way. Tight end Colston Loveland, wideout Luther Burden III, and 2024 first-rounder Rome Odunze gave Williams a trio of dynamic weapons who can stretch the field and win in space. Add in DJ Moore and Cole Kmet, and suddenly this receiving corps looks deep, versatile, and dangerous.
Up front, the offensive line was a revelation. Joe Thuney and Darnell Wright earned All-Pro honors, while Thuney and center Drew Dalman punched tickets to the Pro Bowl.
And though right guard Jonah Jackson didn’t pick up any hardware, he was a steady, reliable presence next to Wright all year long. This group didn’t just protect Williams-they set the tone for the entire offense.
On the other side of the ball, the defense was opportunistic and aggressive, leading the NFL in takeaways. That kind of ball-hawking mentality became a hallmark of this team’s identity. They didn’t just bend and not break-they took the ball away and gave it back to an offense that knew how to capitalize.
It’s easy to see why the vibe around Halas Hall is so different now. The Bears have a head coach who’s instilled a culture of toughness and belief.
They have a quarterback who looks like the real deal. And they’ve got a roster that’s both talented and ascending.
Ben Johnson made it clear in his end-of-season press conference: 2026 starts from square one. There’s no coasting on what they did in 2025.
But the foundation is there. The building blocks are solid.
And for the first time in what feels like forever, the Bears aren’t just hoping to be relevant-they’re poised to contend.
So yeah, optimism in Chicago isn’t just a feeling. It’s a fact.