After finishing 9-8, barely missing out on the postseason a year ago, the Bears are back to try and bring success to the franchise. Led by Ben Johnson and the reigning MVP, Caleb Williams, Chicago will look to improve, especially on defense, and get to double-digit wins. Here are some predictions and outlooks for the upcoming season.
Regular Season
NFC South
This division had two bottom-three teams, but also two teams that finished above .500. For a team like the Bears, who are positioned near the middle of the pack in terms of league respect, they can go 2-2 to 4-0. They’re trusted to take care of business, but can they beat one or both of the formidable opponents?
AFC East
This entire division finished under .500 last season after beating each other up and flailing in their other matchups. This is fairly similar to the NFC South with the same floor and ceiling, but for a different reason. You have to account for a potential trap game, as well as the Dolphins being an extreme wildcard with an unknown user and tons of speed. However, this is where the Bears can build confidence after the miserable schedule they had a year ago.
2nd Place Schedule
Moving up two spots from 4th to 2nd in their own division feels good, but now comes with three games against opponents in a similar range. Specifically, Chicago will match up with the Colts, Commanders, and Seahawks. All three made the playoffs, where the Bears didn’t, so these will be real tests. 1-2 is fine, but 2-1 or 3-0 could mean they’re on their way.
NFC North
The Bears went 4-2 against their rivals in the division last season, sweeping the Lions and splitting with the Vikings and Packers. I think it’d be ridiculously arrogant to make the floor any higher than 3-3, as every division game is an Every Given Sunday vibe, knowing each other well. I do think the ceiling is 6-0, though, with how close their two losses to their foes were last year. I wrote all of that before me and Nef played, now adding that womp womp best case scenario is 5-1, but at least I was right that it’d be wrong to count Nef as wins.
Breakout Players
Offense
Israel Abanikanda
The new feature back in Chicago with speed and a low center of gravity. He’s splitting carries, but getting the best looks. That makes me think he can put together a 1000 yard season with 10+ touchdowns.
Leroy Watson
He’s already getting plenty of use, and the staff makes sure to sing his praises so his hard work in the mud doesn’t go unnoticed. He’s improving the pass and rush attack as the 6’5 310-pound Fat Bear is able to lead block or play tight end while blocking like a sixth offensive lineman.
Ozzy Trapilo
He was very steady when he joined the starting unit last year, and the offense didn’t lose a step. Now, he’s starting from day 1 and is a guy to look out for as he could evolve into a Pro Bowler this season. He’s a former second-rounder that is looking to justify that pick and earn an extension in a couple of seasons.
Defense
Shemar Turner
He had a hot start last season, then sharply fell off after the patch. Now, the pass-rush is in the middle of the beginning and the terrible pass-rush previously. He can be a force in the run or past as one of the bigger, stronger edge rushers, while still having a quick first step with 88 acceleration. This could be his season to break out, like Gervon Dexter did a year ago.
Aaron Graves
He has also had a hot start, trying to prove the doubters and pundits who caused his draft stock to plummet until the middle of the third round, where Chicago picked him. He has half of a sack and five tackles for loss in two games, utilizing his speed and strength. The defense isn’t perfect, but it looks improved from last season and it starts up front.
Deone Walker
He may get limited snaps, but just like Leroy Watson on offense, he’s a Fat Bear destined to make an impact plugging up holes as a rotational nose tackle in seven and eight-man boxes. His specialty is eating up two offensive linemen’s blocks to free up others, so he may never show up on a stat sheet when he’s truly successful, but Chicago sees a way for him to elevate their struggling defense.
Suntarine Perkins
Already having a hot start, with a game-icing forced fumble and recovery in week 1 on the Carolina Panthers, specifically Jonathan Brooks, the late first-rounder is looking to be a force to be reckoned with a potential defensive rookie of the year candidate. His elite speed and lateral quickness make him a threat to keep up with any running back or tight end.
Playoff Potential
Floor
The schedule is easier than last season, but it’s important to remember Chicago finished on a 5-8 slide in their final thirteen games, so 9-8 might still be too high of a floor, especially after dropping their first divisional matchup in Detroit against the Lions. This is a floor, people, and I intend for it to be realistic. 7-10 feels possible in a worst-case scenario.
Ceiling
Just like with the floor, I want this to be a true ceiling. I genuinely would have made my ceiling 15-2 if I won against the Lions. However, I will stick by my gut to keep it at 14-3.
Reality (Probably)
Realistically, with the ups and downs, especially in Madden 26, I will be in the middle of 7 and 14 wins. The exact middle is 10.5, but I’ll round down to play it safe. 10-7 should hopefully see the Bears in the postseason, where they weren’t a year ago.
