Lions Left Watching, Bears Surging: A Shift in the NFC North Landscape
For the first time since 2022, the Detroit Lions are on the outside looking in when it comes to the NFL playoffs. That alone stings for a franchise and fanbase that had grown used to January football.
But what adds salt to the wound? The Chicago Bears-led by none other than former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson-are not only in the postseason, they just pulled off a dramatic playoff win.
Yes, those Bears. The same team that’s made a habit of rallying late and stealing games in the final minutes.
This time, it wasn’t just a fluke. It was another reminder that this version of the Bears might not be going away anytime soon.
And that’s a reality the Lions-and their fans-are going to have to reckon with.
Caleb Williams: A Problem That’s Only Getting Bigger
If there’s anyone who knows how tough Caleb Williams has become to deal with, it’s Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions’ star edge rusher spoke candidly on Tuesday about how much the Bears’ young quarterback has grown in his second year-and how difficult he’s become to bring down.
“I probably missed two or three sacks on him this year, which hurts so bad,” Hutchinson said. “If you’re the first one running in, that’s where it’s the hardest because he’s got the spin out, he’s very quick. He’s so tough to defend.”
That kind of praise isn’t handed out lightly, especially from a player whose job is to make quarterbacks miserable. But Hutchinson didn’t stop there. He also gave a nod to Ben Johnson’s offensive system and how it’s helped Williams elevate his game.
“Ben is a very progression system. It’s evolved. It’s very high-level offense, and I think as the year has progressed, [Williams has] really gotten a grasp of the offense in a great way.”
That’s not just coach-speak-it’s recognition that the Bears have found something real. A quarterback who can escape pressure, extend plays, and now, thanks to Johnson’s system, read the field with confidence and poise. That’s a dangerous combination in today’s NFL.
Lions’ Division Grip Slips as Bears Rise
After back-to-back NFC North titles in 2023 and 2024, it looked like Detroit was poised to keep its foot on the gas and dominate the division for years to come. But 2025 didn’t play out like the script many expected. Injuries, inconsistency, and a surging Chicago squad flipped the narrative.
The Bears weren’t just better-they were significantly better than most predicted. And while Detroit still managed to sweep the season series against Chicago, it’s the Bears who are playing in January, and that’s what ultimately counts.
That’s the frustrating part for Lions fans. Beating your rival twice in the regular season only to watch them thrive in the playoffs?
That’s a tough pill to swallow. Especially when it’s your former offensive coordinator pulling the strings and your defense struggling to contain the quarterback you used to enjoy watching make rookie mistakes.
What Comes Next?
The silver lining? Despite Chicago’s rise, Detroit still owns the head-to-head this season.
That’s not nothing. And with a full offseason ahead, there’s every reason to believe the Lions can regroup, reload, and return to form in 2026.
But the message is clear: the NFC North is no longer a one-team show. The Bears have arrived, and they’ve done it with a young quarterback who’s getting better by the week and a system that’s maximizing his talent.
For Detroit, the challenge is simple but daunting-get back to the level they played at in 2023 and 2024, and prove that this year was a step back, not a turning point. Because if this is the new normal, the road to reclaiming the division crown just got a whole lot tougher.