For a team that spent years giving fans every reason to look elsewhere, the Bears now have the NFL’s spotlight pointed straight at them. ESPN has ranked Chicago as the league’s most watchable team entering the 2026 season, putting the Bears ahead of the Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers.
That does not mean ESPN is calling the Bears the league’s best team. Ben Solak’s ranking was built around entertainment value - the kind of teams that deliver big plays, tight finishes, star power and, in Chicago’s case, a healthy dose of chaos.
The Bears gave him plenty to work with last season.
Chicago went 11-6, won the NFC North and picked up its first playoff victory in 15 years. The games rarely settled into anything comfortable. Caleb Williams authored six comeback wins, the most in the NFL, and Ben Johnson’s offense kept manufacturing late drama that felt tailor-made to raise the blood pressure of everyone in a Bears jersey.
“There’s no way you need me to explain this to you,” Solak wrote before pointing back to some of Chicago’s wildest moments.
Among them were Colston Loveland’s 58-yard touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, a late kickoff return that helped the Bears beat the Minnesota Vikings and the absurd sequence that led to a 50-yard DJ Moore touchdown against the Green Bay Packers.
Apparently, winning the ordinary way was not part of the script.
The rise in national attention says as much about the Bears’ transformation as the ranking itself. Chicago opened last season with optimism, but both Williams and Johnson still had questions hanging over them.
Williams was coming off an uneven rookie year. Johnson was stepping into his first head-coaching job.
A year later, the conversation has changed fast. Williams is being mentioned as a possible MVP candidate, Johnson has made the offense the team’s calling card, and the Bears are no longer being treated like a cute rebuilding story. They are expected to contend.
ESPN also believes Chicago could have the league’s most explosive offense this season. Williams’ ability to extend plays gives the Bears a highlight machine at quarterback, and the talent around him gives Johnson multiple ways to stress a defense.
The defense could add even more chaos. Chicago forced turnovers at a strong rate last season, but it also gave up plenty of yards. If that balance holds, Williams may spend even more time in shootouts and late-game rescue missions.
That is terrific for television. It is a different story for anyone trying to sit still through it in a Bears pullover.
Still, the new label comes with a price. Being the NFL’s most watchable team means there is no hiding anymore. Opponents know what Chicago can do, Williams will get more attention, Johnson’s offense will be adjusted for, and the Bears now have to work through a first-place schedule after winning the division.
Last season showed Chicago can deliver unforgettable football. The next test is proving it can do that while carrying the expectations that come with it.
In Other News...
Ben Johnson Brought An Unexpected Defensive Voice To Bears Practice
Sean McDermott was on the sideline for Bears-Titans joint practice this week, taking in the work as a guest of Ben Johnson while continuing a year away from coaching after his firing by Buffalo in January. For Chicago, it was a notable addition to the practice setting, with an experienced former head coach watching one of the teams most useful summer sessions and adding another layer of outside perspective around Johnsons staff.
McDermott has been making the rounds at different teams as he looks to learn and stay ready for whatever comes next, and his presence immediately sparked chatter among Bears fans about whether a consulting role could be in the cards. For now, though, there is no indication he is joining the coaching staff this season, leaving his visit as an interesting snapshot rather than a sign of anything imminent. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Camp Suddenly Has One Problem Fans Cant Ignore
The Bears wrapped up their second and final joint practice with the Titans on Thursday, and the session had the usual training-camp mix of sharp plays, some testiness and a few injury scares. Chicago got encouraging work from several players, too, with tight ends Loveland and Sam Roush flashing, defensive back Cam Lewis coming up with an interception and quarterback Williams delivering a strong passing day that offered a reminder of why the offense still has so much upside.
Even with those bright spots, the left tackle spot continues to loom as the camp issue that keeps drawing the eye. Braxton Jones has struggled in practice, and in a session that already featured physical moments and injuries to Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson, the pressure on Chicagos protection plan only feels heavier. The Bears have enough talent to make practice look good in stretches, but the longer the left side wobbles, the harder it is to ignore. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Suddenly Have A Real Backfield Decision Behind Roschon Johnson
Salvon Ahmed has made a real case for himself in Chicagos preseason, turning two games into a resume that looks a lot more useful than a typical camp body. He has run for 53 yards and added 69 receiving yards with a touchdown, production that has stood out while the Bears sort through the back half of their running back room.
Roschon Johnson still sits near the center of that picture, but Ahmeds emergence has added some intrigue to the 53-man roster puzzle. With another running back injured, Chicago suddenly has to decide whether Ahmed has done enough to stick as a backup option, and the answer could say plenty about how the Bears want to structure their depth behind Johnson. [Read more 🡒]