The Chicago Bears are heading into 2026 with something they haven’t had in decades: real, tangible momentum.
After a breakout 2025 campaign that saw them win the NFC North and notch a playoff victory, the Bears are sitting at No. 7 in Bleacher Report’s way-too-early NFL power rankings. That puts them ahead of some heavyweight contenders-San Francisco (No.
8), Philadelphia (No. 9), and Houston (No. 10)-all of whom made the postseason. Only Jacksonville (No. 6) edged them out, despite the Jaguars falling short of a playoff win.
So why the buzz around Chicago? Two words: Caleb Williams.
The No. 1 overall pick didn’t just show flashes-he delivered. Williams’ growth from Year 1 to Year 2 was the kind of leap that franchises dream about when they draft a quarterback to be the face of the team.
His late-game poise, creativity under pressure, and ability to extend plays gave the Bears something they’ve been missing since, well, Sid Luckman. And no, that’s not hyperbole.
But Williams wasn’t doing it alone. Head coach Ben Johnson, in his first season at the helm, proved to be a home-run hire.
His offensive scheme gave Williams the freedom to be the dynamic playmaker he’s always been, while also instilling a structure that helped the young quarterback make smarter decisions and stay within the flow of the offense. Johnson also brought a cultural reset to Chicago-something that’s just as important as the Xs and Os when you’re trying to turn a team into a contender.
The Bears weren’t just competitive-they were confident, composed, and playing with purpose. That’s what happens when a franchise finally finds alignment between the front office, coaching staff, and quarterback room.
What makes this even more exciting for Bears fans is that this team still has room to grow. The foundation is there: a quarterback on the rise, a coach who knows how to maximize talent, and a roster that’s starting to believe in itself. And with another offseason to add pieces around Williams, it’s not a stretch to think they could climb even higher in next year’s rankings.
Sure, Jacksonville sits one spot ahead, but there’s a strong case to be made for flipping those two. The Bears won a playoff game.
The Jaguars didn’t. And while rankings in February don’t win games in September, they do tell us something about where a team stands in the broader NFL landscape.
Right now, the Bears are standing tall. And if Caleb Williams keeps progressing the way he has, they might not be done climbing.