The Chicago Bears have spent enough time in the NFC North cellar to know what frustration looks like. That’s why the current moment feels so different. With Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson in place, Chicago suddenly has the kind of quarterback-coach pairing that can change the entire mood around a franchise.
That contrast was thrown into sharp relief by NFL pundit Warren Sharp, who recently counted down the top fourth-place finishes since the 2010 season. The Browns led the way, having finished last in the AFC North in 10 seasons since 2010.
The Bears were right there too, tied for third with seven such finishes. For a fan base that lived through those years, the number hits hard - even if it doesn’t exactly shock anyone.
Chicago’s recent run of division struggles is part of what makes the present so appealing. This is one of the league’s original franchises, a team with history, weight and plenty of respect attached to the logo.
But history doesn’t erase the lean years, and the NFC North has never made life easy. The difference now is that the Bears are no longer looking up and hoping for a break.
They’re looking ahead with real expectations.
That shift starts with the top of the roster, but it doesn’t stop there. Chicago has more than just a promising quarterback and head coach.
The roster is stocked, the offensive talent stands out, and the coaching staff gives the team a legitimate chance to repeat as division champions. That’s a far cry from the uncertainty that defined so many of the seasons that came before.
The Bears are heading into a season where the bar is no longer survival or respectability. The expectation is a deep January playoff run. And beyond that, Chicago looks positioned to stay in the mix as long as Williams and Johnson are steering the ship.
For a franchise that has lived through so many last-place finishes, that’s the real payoff. The darkest years are what make this roster feel even more exciting now.
In Other News...
Bears Suddenly Need One Rookie To Save Their Secondary
The Bears spent the 2026 draft trying to shore up a secondary that needed more answers, taking Dillon Thieneman in the first round and then circling back for Malik Muhammad in the fourth. Thieneman has drawn positive reviews from spring workouts, which is exactly what you want from a premium pick, but the bigger conversation around Chicagos defensive backfield has started to shift toward how quickly the rookie class can help overall.
Muhammad, the No. 124 pick out of Texas, has become the more intriguing developmental piece because the Bears need young corners who can grow into meaningful roles. With defensive backs coach Al Harris on hand to help guide the group, Chicago at least has a strong teacher in place, and the next step is seeing whether Muhammad can turn that coaching into real stability for a unit still searching for it. [Read more 🡒]
Caleb Williams Just Reached An Elite Deep Ball Milestone
Caleb Williams second NFL season gave the Bears a much clearer picture of what his arm can do when the play design and timing start to click. According to PFF data, he finished with 13 touchdown passes on throws of 20 or more yards, a mark that speaks to real growth in the kind of explosive passing Chicago has been chasing.
The part that makes the number stand out is the context around it: Williams did it in his first season under Ben Johnson, with a new offensive voice shaping the attack. It also put him in rare company among young passers, alongside Bo Nix, who matched that deep-ball production while also coming off a playoff win over the Bills and Josh Allen. [Read more 🡒]