Seven years is a long time in the NFL. Just ask the Chicago Bears.
After clinching their first playoff berth since 2020 with a gritty 22-16 overtime win over the Packers in Week 16, the Bears got an early holiday bonus in Week 17 - courtesy of the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore’s 41-24 road win at Lambeau not only handed Green Bay another L, it officially locked up the NFC North title for Chicago.
That’s the Bears’ first division crown since 2018, and with it comes a guaranteed home playoff game at Soldier Field. Yes, postseason football is coming back to the Windy City.
And make no mistake - this is a big deal.
It’s been a season of redemption and resurgence in Chicago, and at the center of it all is rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. The former USC standout has been everything the Bears hoped for and more, showing poise beyond his years and delivering in key moments. Pair that with the offensive vision of coordinator Ben Johnson, and suddenly, the Bears don’t just look competent - they look dangerous.
At 11-4 with two games left, Chicago is riding a two-game win streak and still has a shot - albeit a slim one - at the NFC’s No. 1 seed. That would mean a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
More likely, they’ll land the No. 2 seed. But regardless of how the final standings shake out, the Bears are in.
And that alone is worth celebrating.
This isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s a sign of something bigger taking shape in Chicago.
Ben Johnson laid out the team’s goals earlier this week, and so far, they’re checking all the boxes.
“Our step No. 1 was to get to 11 [wins],” Johnson said. “There’s never been an 11-win team to not make it, and so we felt pretty good about that being the number going into the season.
That was step one. Step two is we want to win this division.
We want to have at least one home playoff game. And then step three would be clinch a No. 1 seed.
So there are a lot of things still out there to play for. Our guys know that.”
That kind of clarity - and confidence - has been evident in the way this team plays. The Bears have been balanced, disciplined, and opportunistic.
They’ve found ways to win close games, and they’ve leaned on a young quarterback who doesn’t flinch under pressure. It’s not just about getting to the playoffs.
It’s about building something sustainable.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed. The NFC is loaded, and the road to a deep postseason run won’t be easy.
But for now, the Bears have earned the right to dream a little. They’re division champs.
They’re playoff-bound. And for the first time in a long time, there’s real belief in Chicago that this team isn’t just back - it’s built to last.
The city’s ready. Soldier Field is waiting. And Caleb Williams and the Bears are just getting started.