The Chicago Bears are entering the 2026 NFL season with heightened expectations following a successful 2025 campaign. After clinching the NFC North title and breaking a lengthy playoff drought, the Bears are now viewed as a formidable contender rather than a surprise team. The emergence of quarterback Caleb Williams, who made significant strides in his second season, has been a key factor in this shift.
In a recent analysis by Mike Sando for The Athletic, six anonymous NFL executives evaluated all 16 teams in the NFC. While the consensus ranked the Bears fifth overall, one executive boldly placed them at the top of the list. This surprising endorsement reflects a growing confidence in the Bears' ability to not only defend their division title but also to contend for the conference championship.
Last season, the Bears finished with an 11-6 record, marking their first playoff victory in 15 years. However, their success was accompanied by a level of skepticism, as they secured seven wins by rallying from behind in the final moments of games. The executive who ranked Chicago first acknowledged this concern but pointed to the team's potential to overcome it.
“The coach is really good, they have a really good ascending quarterback, the roster is super talented,” the executive stated, emphasizing the key components contributing to the Bears' optimism. Head coach Ben Johnson made an immediate impact in his first year, transforming the offense and helping Williams reduce his sack total significantly from 68 as a rookie to just 24 in 2025. Under Johnson's guidance, the Bears finished sixth in total offense and ninth in scoring.
Caleb Williams, the 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick, is a central figure in the Bears' resurgence. As he enters his third NFL season, he is surrounded by an impressive array of offensive weapons, including Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, D’Andre Swift, and Kyle Monangai. Many of these players showed marked improvement late in the previous season, further bolstering the team's offensive prospects.
In Sando's annual quarterback tiers, Williams earned a spot in Tier 2, ranking 11th overall after making one of the most significant year-over-year improvements among his peers. This recognition underscores his growing stature in the league and the expectations that come with it.
Despite the optimism, the Bears' path to the top is not without challenges. Concerns linger regarding their left tackle situation, with Braxton Jones currently favored to start but no official announcement made. Additionally, the team must navigate injuries, including the absence of nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon for at least the first four games and the need for rookie safety Dillon Thieneman to step up in a critical role.
While two of the six executives view the Bears as genuine Super Bowl contenders, the majority remain cautious, categorizing them as division contenders. Their average ranking was fifth, with a median placement of 5.5, indicating a mix of optimism and skepticism surrounding their capabilities.
The Bears now face the challenge of proving they can sustain their success and meet the elevated expectations. With a talented roster, a promising quarterback, and a capable coach, the foundation is in place for Chicago to make a significant impact in the NFC. However, the question remains: can they replicate their playoff success and emerge as a true Super Bowl threat?
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