Nobody expected the Chicago Bears to win the NFC North title last season. So when they did, it was an understandable shock. The Bears had been the worst team in the division for the past four seasons. They had a new coaching staff and an unproven quarterback. It would take time to get things going. Their 0-2 start seemed to prove that. Then they won 11 of their last 15, swiping the crown, and beating Green Bay in the wild card playoff. One would think this success would bring the Bears some credibility.
Not so much. It appears NFL experts aren’t buying the idea that this team is the true king of the North. ESPN analytics proved it when it revealed the latest odds on who will win the division in 2026. Not only were the Bears not the favorites, but they also weren’t even the second-favorite.
It’s pretty apparent that much of the pessimism stems from not being established. Detroit won back-to-back division titles in 2023 and 2024 before a disappointing 9-8 season last year. Green Bay has been a regular playoff participant for years. They’re safer bets.
The Chicago Bears are victims of not getting better on paper.
Many feel they lost a healthy chunk of what made them successful last season. Kevin Byard and Nahshon Wright, who combined for 12 interceptions, left for the Patriots and Jets, respectively. Tremaine Edmunds, their most productive linebacker, was released. Beloved Packer killer D.J. Moore was traded to Buffalo. Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman retired. All of this happened while the team also didn’t appear to fix their lingering pass rush issues. You can at least understand that line of thinking.
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Yes, they still have quarterback Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson, but it feels like the roster is in a transitional phase. In reality, the Bears are banking on some of their young talent taking on bigger roles this season. That goes especially for tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden. Both were terrific as rookies last season and seem poised for breakouts. Kyle Monangai played great as well. He isn’t going anywhere. The Bears also added Coby Bryant, Devin Bush, and Dillon Thieneman on defense.
So it’s not like the cupboard suddenly went bare.
Coach Johnson was right.
He said after the season that the Chicago Bears were starting back at the bottom of the mountain. Everything starts over from zero. They must climb up again. He meant this in reference to the idea that the team could carry the momentum of their 2025 success into this year. Johnson dismissed that idea. He knows that the modern NFL doesn’t work that way. Rosters change so frequently that it is impossible to sustain momentum in the conventional sense. After watching the team unload so many key players, it’s clear he knew what he was talking about.
Still, the core names remain in place. Williams should take another step forward at quarterback. Johnson’s offensive play-calling won’t suddenly stop being really good. People can debate their tough strength of schedule, but the reality is that no schedule is predictable. Unexpected things always happen. It’s the teams who adapt quickly that thrive, and the Bears proved last season they could do that.
