NFL
Season Outlook:
It’s hard to think of a team that offered more excitement last year. The Bears went 11-6 and won their first division title since 2018. Caleb Williams blossomed behind his magical playmaking, while Ben Johnson proved himself a very worthy leadership choice by the organization in his first year. The QB and coach have laid a foundation that has Bears fans dreaming of something more than just repeating as NFC North champs.
What's Changed:
Chicago sent wideout DJ Moore to Buffalo in exchange for a second-round draft pick. The defense lost both starting safeties, Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, in free agency, as well as linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to the New York Giants. Center Drew Dalman surprisingly retired at age 27. The Bears did replenish their secondary with first-round pick Dillon Thieneman.
Bigger Role & Sophomore Breakout:
Rome Odunze will take Moore’s place as the No. 1 passing option. A first-round pick in 2024, Odunze made 44 catches in his 12 games – averaging 15 yards per reception and scoring six TDs. Those numbers should go up. While Odunze will be counted on to make the shorter catches, Luther Burden III has game-breaking potential on the deep ball. A recent groin injury is slightly concerning, but otherwise he’s rightfully gaining plenty of hype as a player who could emerge in his second season.
Key Question:
Can Caleb Williams become elite? He set the franchise record for passing yards and threw 27 touchdowns to seven interceptions. But in order to get to the “next level,” he’ll need to improve his accuracy well beyond a 58.1 percent completion rate. Protecting him may not be as easy. Summer turnover and injury along the offensive line leaves the continuity of that positional area in doubt.
Prediction:
The difficulty of their schedule and the NFC North itself will make it hard to duplicate last season. Chicago goes 10-7 and misses out on the playoffs. The reason won’t be the offense. Caleb Williams continues to thrive – throwing for 30 touchdowns and nearly 4,000 yards – while Kyle Monangai and D’Andre Swift are one of the best 1-2 running back combos. The defense is what’s going to let them down. Losing both starting safeties and Edmunds will be difficult to replace. It stands to reason that the turnover differential will regress.
X-Factor:
Third-year defensive end Austin Booker recorded a career-high 4.5 sacks, 35 total pressures, and 658 snaps despite a knee injury that cost him the first seven games in 2025. The Bears not addressing their pass rush this offseason clearly shows that the organization is looking for Booker (alongside Montez Sweat) to be healthy and effective again.
Final Scorecard:
- Offense: 8
- Defense: 6
- Coaching: 8
- X-Factor Upside: 7
- Schedule Strength: 4