The Chicago Bears just wrapped up a season that fans will be talking about for a while - not just because it ended with an 11-6 record and an NFC North title, but because it marked a real turning point for a franchise that’s been searching for stability and success for years. First-year head coach Ben Johnson wasted no time making his mark, guiding the Bears to their first playoff win in 15 years. That’s not just progress - that’s momentum.
With Caleb Williams under center and Johnson steering the ship, Chicago finally has the kind of head coach-quarterback pairing that can anchor a new era. But as promising as this season was, there’s still plenty of work ahead for general manager Ryan Poles. The Bears may have found their offensive identity, but now it’s time to balance the scales - and that means turning a serious eye toward the defensive side of the ball.
Last offseason, Poles made a concerted effort to solidify the offensive line, and it paid off. Now, the defensive front needs the same kind of attention.
The Bears need more muscle up front, more disruption in the trenches. If they want to keep pace with the NFC’s top contenders - and hold onto that division crown - they’ll need to win more battles at the line of scrimmage.
There’s also the matter of the salary cap. According to Over The Cap, the Bears are currently projected to be about $4.3 million over the cap for 2026 - the 12th worst cap situation in the league.
That’s not ideal, but it’s far from unmanageable. Poles has options.
Restructures, extensions, and strategic cuts can open up space, and he’s shown he’s not afraid to make bold moves when the roster demands it.
In-house free agents will also be a big part of the equation. The Bears have to decide who’s worth keeping around and who might be better replaced through the draft or free agency. It’s a balancing act - maintaining the core that helped deliver this breakthrough season while continuing to build for the long haul.
Speaking of the draft, hitting on the 2026 class will be critical. With key needs on defense, especially up front, this is a chance to add impact players on rookie deals - a must for a team navigating a tight cap situation. The margin for error is slim, but the opportunity is there to take another big step forward.
Here’s the broader context: the Bears are one of several teams facing cap challenges heading into 2026. While clubs like the Titans and Raiders are projected to have over $80 million in space, others - including contenders like the Chiefs and Cowboys - are staring down deficits of $60 million or more.
Chicago’s cap situation isn’t great, but it’s far from the worst. And with the right moves, it’s fixable.
The bottom line? The Bears have something real to build on.
They’ve got their coach. They’ve got their quarterback.
They’ve got a fan base that’s fired up again. Now it’s on Ryan Poles to keep pushing this thing forward - to make the right calls in free agency, to find value in the draft, and to keep this team trending upward.
Because if this season was the start of something special, the next one is about proving it wasn’t a fluke. And if the Bears can keep building the right way, they won’t just be back in the playoffs - they’ll be a problem for the rest of the NFC.