The Chicago Bears completed an exciting 2025-26 season by topping the NFC North with an 11-6 record, though they ultimately fell short of reaching the Super Bowl. Under the guidance of first-year head coach Ben Johnson and with second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, the team showcased significant promise as they prepare for the 2026-27 season. The Bears are now gaining newfound respect across the NFL, marking a substantial shift from their status at the same point last year.
Analysts Predict the Bears Among NFL’s Top Competitors in 2026
While official power rankings are typically unveiled closer to the season’s start, several NFL experts have already weighed in on the Bears’ prospects for 2026-27. Analysts such as Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, Maurice Moton, and Brent Sobleski from Bleacher Report have placed Chicago as the No. 7 team in the league, signaling strong confidence despite room for an even loftier ranking.
Sobleski highlighted head coach Ben Johnson’s impact, stating he
proved to be the right hire as Chicago Bears head coach
and credited Johnson’s
presence helped Caleb Williams begin the trek toward realizing his potential as an elite quarterback.
Regarding the 2025 season, Sobleski reflected:
Everything else from the 2025 season was gravy for the team,
emphasizing that
Williams’ talent was on full display, particularly late in games. Considering the franchise has essentially been searching for a legitimate franchise quarterback since Sid Luckman retired in 1950—a stretch that is no exaggeration—Williams’ development became the driving force behind everything the organization did this past season and is already starting to be rewarded.
He also noted Williams’ standout qualities, observing that his
creativity and playmaking ability shone brightly,
and acknowledged that Chicago
is now a real contender after winning the NFC North, and they have the potential to get even better.
Momentum Builds for Bears as They Approach Upcoming Season
The Bears’ playoff run ended in the divisional round with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but the team remains optimistic about what lies ahead. After the defeat, Coach Johnson remarked,
Our guys fought the entire way, just like they have all season long,
adding,
I thought this was very much like our team has been, and you’ve got to give the Rams credit. They ended up making a couple more plays than we did.
Johnson also emphasized the team’s resilience throughout the year:
They all believed, man. They all believed all year long that we could find a way to win each and every week. So it’s disappointing like that. But, I am proud of the group.
With this determination, the Bears head into the 2026-27 season feeling empowered and ready to capitalize on the progress made, carrying the momentum of their strong finish into the new campaign—fittingly for the Windy City.
