The Bears' dream season came to a screeching halt in a 20-17 overtime loss to the Rams-a game that felt like a microcosm of their wild, improbable ride. Caleb Williams, who’d made a habit of pulling off late-game magic, had one more trick up his sleeve, launching a red zone dart to Cole Kmet in the final seconds of regulation to tie it up.
It was the kind of play that had defined his rookie campaign. But this time, the magic ran out.
Williams’ third interception of the game set up the Rams’ game-winning field goal, and just like that, Chicago’s playoff run was over. But don’t let the heartbreak fool you-this Bears team isn’t going anywhere.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t some fluky Cinderella run. The Bears went 11-6, won a bruising NFC North, and beat the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles along the way.
They did it with a rookie head coach, a rookie quarterback, and a roster that had every excuse to fold early after an 0-2 start. Instead, they figured things out, got better as the season went on, and showed they can hang with the NFC’s elite.
So what’s next for Chicago? Here’s why this team is built to stick around-and why they’re just getting started.
1. Caleb Williams hasn’t even scratched the surface
Williams' rookie season was a roller coaster-but one that mostly climbed. He made plays few quarterbacks in the league can dream of, let alone execute.
His ability to extend plays, throw off-platform, and create something out of nothing helped the Bears mask a lot of their defensive shortcomings. But as we saw against the Rams, the flip side of that gunslinger mentality is turnovers-and in the playoffs, those mistakes are magnified.
Still, Williams made major strides under Ben Johnson’s guidance. He went from being sacked 68 times in his rookie year to just 24 this season, thanks in part to a revamped offensive line and quicker decision-making.
He didn’t lean as heavily on his legs, showing more poise in the pocket. But the numbers still show room for growth: a 6.9 yards-per-attempt average and a 58.1% completion rate aren’t where he wants to be.
And that’s the exciting part-he hasn’t hit his ceiling. The flashes are there.
The arm talent is real. The mobility is a weapon.
Once he puts it all together with consistency, we could be talking about a Mahomes-level impact. He just needs time-and the Bears are giving it to him.
2. Ben Johnson is the real deal
Johnson’s aggressive style didn’t always sit well with fans. He gambled on fourth downs, passed up chip-shot field goals, and generally coached like a guy who refuses to play scared.
Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn’t.
But his belief in his system and in his quarterback never wavered.
What Johnson did masterfully was build an offense that played to Williams’ strengths while also laying down a strong foundation in the run game. That balance helped stabilize the offense during rough patches and gave Williams the support he needed to grow. Johnson’s offensive mind is one of the sharpest in the league, and his leadership has brought a swagger to the Bears that’s been missing since the Ditka days.
He’s not just a one-year wonder. Johnson’s system will evolve, and with a full offseason to build on what worked-and fix what didn’t-the Bears’ offense could take a major leap in 2026.
3. This roster is young, deep, and returning intact
One of the biggest reasons to believe in the Bears’ staying power? They’re not going anywhere.
This isn’t a team built on aging veterans or one-year rentals. The offensive line that protected Williams so well is coming back intact.
The skill-position group is loaded with ascending talent-Rome Odunze is set to take another leap in Year 3, while Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III are poised to become bigger pieces in their second seasons.
On defense, there’s still work to do, but the building blocks are in place. Montez Sweat anchored a pass rush that showed real promise down the stretch.
The secondary has some youth and versatility, and while safety could be a spot to watch in free agency, the core of the unit is under contract. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has a year under his belt with this group, and continuity should only help.
And let’s not forget special teams-often overlooked, but rock solid for Chicago this year.
This isn’t a team that caught lightning in a bottle. It’s a team that’s been carefully constructed, with a franchise quarterback, a forward-thinking coach, and a front office that’s made smart, sustainable moves.
The NFC North is theirs to lose-for now
The Packers, Lions, and Vikings all finished with winning records, but each has more questions than answers heading into 2026. The Bears, meanwhile, are trending up. They came one play away from the NFC Championship Game and did it with a rookie head coach and a second-year quarterback still ironing out the kinks.
Before this season, Chicago hadn’t made the playoffs in back-to-back years since the late ’90s. That’s likely to change.
The pieces are in place. The quarterback is legit.
The coach is a difference-maker. And the roster is built to last.
Chicago fans have been burned before, so the skepticism is understandable. But this time feels different. Caleb Williams isn’t just the best quarterback the Bears have had in the modern era-he might be the one who finally rewrites the franchise’s story.
The heartbreak in January stings. But don’t mistake it for the end. For these Bears, it’s just the beginning.