Bears' Repeat Bid Faces Questions After Breakout Season
Key injuries, an unsettled left tackle spot and a string of last‑second 2025 wins raise doubts about Chicago’s ability to defend the NFC North.
Overview
- The Chicago Bears enter 2026 as the defending NFC North champions after their 2025 breakthrough under coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams.
- Caleb Williams and Johnson’s offense are driving high expectations after the team rose from last to sixth in total yards, with Johnson publicly aiming to push the club’s scoring output even higher.
- Chicago must manage concrete roster concerns before the season opener, including rookie Dillon Thieneman stepping in for injured safety Coby Bryant and nickel corner Kyler Gordon missing multiple early games.
- The left tackle role remains unsettled with Braxton Jones viewed as the Week 1 favorite but no official starter named, leaving pass protection and depth as immediate questions.
- Outside evaluations are mixed: AP projects the Lions, Vikings and Packers ahead of the Bears in the division while one anonymous NFL executive ranked Chicago first in the NFC, reflecting both confidence and wider skepticism about regression risk from many narrow wins.