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Being the head of the hype train is nothing new to Chicago. It seems every few years they find a new motivation, hoping and praying it is finally their year. Heading into the 2026 season it feels a little more realistic, a lot less like blind hope. There is actually a clear path that this young group of men is aware of, one that could land them deep in the 2026 playoffs. Between the franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams, a vintage feeling Bears defense, and a front office that is finally seeing eye to eye, the ingredients are all here for something special.
So, how do the previously 5 and 12 Bears get to Santa Clara in February? Let’s break it down.
Caleb Williams has to make the leap
In the 2024 to 2025 season Caleb displayed numerous flashes of greatness in his rookie year. Rookie flashes are cool, but this next season for Caleb has to be about consistency. If Caleb can find and master that blend of creativity and discipline, limit the missed throws, interceptions, and poor decisions, the Bears will have the foundation they need. Everything starts with your quarterback. For decades the Bears have been chasing their true franchise guy. If Caleb can go from the “promising” tag to the “elite” category, Chicago will finally have the type of quarterback they have been chasing for seasons.Offensive line needs to stand their ground
It is no secret that the Bears offensive line lacks superstar talent. For years Bears quarterbacks and running backs have been running for their lives. If this new Bears team wants to make serious strides in the 2025 to 2026 season, it will have a lot to do with the performance of this offensive line. No quarterback in the NFL can fully develop in those circumstances. The Bears line does not need to be elite, but with Braxton Jones growing into a reliable left tackle, a healthy Teven Jenkins, and a little bit of chemistry, that could be all the difference this offense needs. The difference between Caleb playing hero ball and actually running a professional offense.DJ Moore x Rome Odunze duo
Over the past couple of seasons the Bears have built one of the more promising receiver rooms in the league. DJ Moore, an already proven NFL threat, has the ability to stretch defenses, make contested catches, and run sharp routes. He has all the attributes you expect to see in a true WR1. Now with the pairing of Rome Odunze, a more physical go get it type of receiver, the Bears have built a dangerous dynamic. Moore will slice defenses with his speed and ability to create separation, while Rome holds down the physical role. Think JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins when looking at this duo.A reliable run game
The Bears have always been a team that leans on the ground game to generate momentum. This should be no different in the 2025 to 2026 season. A good rushing attack forces defenses to stay honest and respect the run. Without it, offenses become predictable. Having a balanced offense makes everyone’s job easier, especially Caleb’s. A dangerous running game opens holes in the deep pass game. If the Bears are able to establish themselves as a dominant rushing team, it may boost every offensive stat across the board. With DAndre Swift at the helm they already have a solid foundation. Again, it will come down to the offensive line.
5. Ben Johnson
If you are a Bears fan, you know coaching has not exactly been the crown jewel of the franchise over the past few decades. But with Ben Johnson stepping in, things finally feel different. This is not just some generic hire where the front office threw darts at a board. Johnson comes in as one of the most respected offensive minds in football. The same coach who turned Detroit into a playoff threat is now running the show in Chicago.
And here is why that matters: he is not afraid to scheme around what he has, not just what he wants. Whether it is leaning into a dual threat quarterback like Caleb Williams, maximizing DJ Moore as a WR1, or unleashing Cole Kmet in ways fans have not seen yet, Johnson has the playbook to make this offense dangerous. He builds mismatches, he forces defenses to adjust, and most importantly, he adapts during the game. Do you know how rare that has been in Chicago? Exactly. Welcome Ben.
If Johnson can bring that Lions magic, pair it with the Bears already growing roster talent, and finally give this team an actual offensive identity, then a Super Bowl run in 2026 is not just some pipe dream. It is a very real scenario.
6. No Jaylon Johnson Fall Off
Let us set the record straight now. Jaylon Johnson is not just your average defensive back. The man is on a four year seventy six million dollar deal for a reason. He has put together Pro Bowl worthy seasons while being tasked with locking down star receivers every week. If he shuts down WR1s consistently and gives the rest of that secondary confidence, suddenly opponents think twice before launching deep shots. That is how you turn a defense from “ok” to “I have to rethink my entire game plan.” With Jaylon operating at that level, this unit feels bulletproof.
7. Depth in the Trenches (O and D)
Pressure kills. Defense wins championships. Everyone knows that. Right now, Montez Sweat is the only name in the Bears front seven that is commanding real fear. If the defensive line heats up, if Sweat stays disruptive and Dayo Odeyingbo picks up the slack, Chicago could actually get after quarterbacks.
On offense, DAndre Swift has been consistent, but depth matters, especially at a position like running back. If someone like Roschon Johnson or even a surprise breakout like Ian Wheeler can convert key third downs or give Swift a breather, that is the balance Chicago needs.
7. Depth in the Trenches and Tarting Up the Backfield
7. Depth in the Trenches and Tarting Up the Backfield
Pressure kills in the NFL. Every quarterback knows it, every coach preaches it, and every game is decided by the line of scrimmage. Right now, Montez Sweat is the only guy in the Bears front seven who really scares offensive lines. He can collapse pockets, chase quarterbacks down, and make every throw feel rushed. But Chicago needs more than just one freak athlete. If Sweat stays disruptive and Dayo Odeyingbo finally shows flashes of what made him a draft pick, the pass rush suddenly becomes something offenses have to game-plan around every week. Add in guys like Ross or Austin Booker stepping up and you’ve got a defensive front that can actually change the flow of a game rather than just try to survive.
On the offensive side, the Bears can’t just lean on Caleb Williams or D’Andre Swift alone. Swift has been solid, he can catch passes out of the backfield, and he can hit the edge in ways that make defenses panic. But depth matters. If a guy like Roschon Johnson can provide relief on third downs or Ian Wheeler sneaks in to break a key run or conversion, the offense becomes unpredictable and balanced. That unpredictability keeps defenses honest and gives Caleb the space to make plays without being constantly pressured. Depth in the trenches and a reliable backfield are the kind of pieces that turn a team from a “maybe next year” to a real contender.
8. Special Teams and Situational Play That Doesn’t Blow It
8. Special Teams and Situational Play That Doesn’t Blow It
It only takes one missed tackle on a punt or a shanked field goal to flip a game on its head. Chicago’s special teams haven’t exactly been their shining moment in recent years, but this year there are reasons for optimism. Kickoff coverage has looked tighter in camp, field goal units are cleaner, and there are players like Luther Burden III earning reps as a dynamic return threat. Those moments may seem small but in a close NFL game, every single hidden point matters.
Special teams are the difference between surviving a one-score game and losing it. If these units tighten up, the Bears aren’t just fixing mistakes, they are flipping hidden points in their favor. Every blocked punt, every well-covered kickoff, every smart fake could be the difference between a first-round playoff exit and a run that surprises the league. In the NFL, attention to detail wins championships, and Chicago can’t afford to leave points on the field.
9. Fresh Legs, Fresh Culture, Fresh Energy Under Ben Johnson
9. Fresh Legs, Fresh Culture, Fresh Energy Under Ben Johnson
People aren’t just hyped for Caleb Williams. They are hyped because Ben Johnson has completely changed the vibe in Chicago. This isn’t the same Bears team running old systems and hoping for luck. Johnson comes in with precision, energy, and the kind of offensive mind that can make mismatches feel unfair. He’s a Coach-of-the-Year favorite because he doesn’t just coach plays, he builds culture.
Training camp this year looked like a different team. The Bears were faster, sharper, and more physical. Mistakes were minimal, intensity was high, and the guys were locked in like they were ready for battle every snap. That cultural shift matters just as much as the Xs and Os. When players buy in fully, the game changes. Fourth-quarter drives feel easier, mental errors drop, and players start making plays without thinking because they trust the system and each other. Johnson’s leadership could be the spark that finally turns a good roster into a team built for the postseason grind.
10. Buying the Run, Not Just Mock Draft Believe
10. Buying the Run, Not Just Mock Draft Believe
Every year the hype machine spins out of control. Mock drafts, podcasts, highlight reels—they all paint a picture of what could be. But the NFL doesn’t hand out trophies for preseason optimism. Winning comes from showing up, staying healthy, and delivering in the moments that actually count. The Bears have all the ingredients to be a contender but they have to turn potential into results.
That means winning the close games, handling December like it’s playoff season, and making adjustments on the fly. It means turning “maybe” into “done” by taking advantage of opportunities and showing up consistently. If Chicago can match the hype with actual execution, fans and analysts alike will have to start taking them seriously. That’s how a team goes from being overlooked to being a threat nobody saw coming.
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, it’s never about one player or one move. It’s about the total package coming together at the right time. With Ben Johnson’s offensive mind, Caleb Williams’ arm and playmaking ability, Jaylon Johnson locking down receivers, Montez Sweat pressuring quarterbacks, and enough depth across the roster to survive the grueling NFL season, the Bears aren’t just rebuilding. They are building a team that can shock the league.
If everything clicks, 2026 won’t just be another season of hope. It could be the year Chicago reminds the NFL what Bears football really is: smart, physical, relentless, and dangerous in February. Fans have waited long enough. The time for the Bears to prove themselves could finally be here. DK {SHU}
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