The Chicago Bears created absolute magic in 2025. After what felt like a rock bottom season the year before, new head coach Ben Johnson fostered a new team culture of defiant resilience that saw them overcome a 0-2 start to finish 11-6, winning the NFC North division for the first time in seven years. They celebrated with a win over the Green Bay Packers on wild card weekend, avenging their NFC Championship loss from 15 years ago. People suddenly began believing that this team could challenge the big dogs in the conference.
One would think this success would earn them a little credibility going into the 2026 season. They still have Johnson as head coach, one of the best offensive minds in football. Caleb Williams is coming off a breakout season. It is arguably the best coach-quarterback combo in the division. Apparently, that isn’t enough for betting oddsmakers. Not only are the Bears not the current favorite to win the NFC North this season, but they aren’t even projected to finish second. Those honors go to the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, respectively.
The disrespect to the Chicago Bears doesn’t get much clearer.
Let’s break this down. The Lions are expected to win the division again. This confidence likely comes from two sources. First, they won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024. Most of the roster that accomplished that remains intact. Second, Detroit swept the Bears in their season series last year. Both fair arguments. However, they aren’t adding important context. The Lions have taken two massive hits to their offensive line with Frank Ragnow retiring and Taylor Decker leaving. Two cornerstones gone. Their defense still isn’t very good, which puts pressure on the offense to carry the load. They just replaced their offensive coordinator again, hiring Drew Petzing, who had a forgettable three-year run in Arizona.
Then you have the Packers. They, too, are favored to finish ahead of the Chicago Bears. Why? That is a fair question. It’s not like the team visibly improved much during the offseason. They lost one key wide receiver to free agency (Romeo Dobbs) and traded another (Dontayvion Wicks). Two starting offensive linemen, Elgton Jenkins and Rasheed Walker, also departed. Micah Parsons likely won’t be back until midseason, which leaves their pass rush in uncertain territory. Oh, and the Bears beat them twice last season. So how?
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There is one theory.
Two key factors were crucial to Chicago’s division title run last season. One was leading the NFL in takeaways with 33. The other was six 4th quarter comebacks led by Williams and the offense. Both are highly variable stat lines that analysts believe are unsustainable from year to year. Presuming each takes a noticeable dip this season, it is reasonable to believe the Bears won’t be as good. This will enable Detroit and Green Bay, two “superior” teams, to reassert control.
Logical? Perhaps. Disrespectful? Certainly. People are acting like what the Bears accomplished last season was a one-off. A thrilling one-off, sure, but still a one-off. They haven’t had back-to-back winning seasons as a franchise in 20 years. Though they do have a head coach and quarterback now, many still believe the roster is too flawed to break that streak just yet. If nothing else, Chicago won’t have to look far for motivation.
