Nov 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson walks the sideline during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Nobody on planet Earth thought for a second the Chicago Bears would be in the Super Bowl conversation this year. Why would they? This team was 5-12 last year, with a fractured locker room and serious questions about their young quarterback. The arrival of Ben Johnson was expected to at least make them decent in 2025, maybe setting the stage for gradual improvement in the next few years. Instead, the Bears have catapulted to a 9-3 record and are in control of the NFC’s #1 seed. Suddenly, the question has become unavoidable.
Can this team reach the Super Bowl?
Most people would say no. They still have a lot of flaws despite their remarkable turnaround. Caleb Williams remains a work in progress, completing just 58% of his passes. Many of their victories have required last-second heroics, which typically do not indicate a contender. However, future Hall of Fame cornerback Patrick Peterson believes a deep playoff run is more than possible for the Bears. He believes their ability to control the line of scrimmage on offense and take the ball away on defense is an excellent recipe for success.
The Chicago Bears feel like a team that is not quite there yet.
Their success this season is more due to luck and timing than actual great play. They’ve benefited from their opponents suffering timely injuries to key players. Five of their wins involved 4th quarter comebacks. While it has made the Chicago Bears must-see TV, it remains difficult to buy them as the likely contender coming out of the NFC. That remains Los Angeles, Green Bay, and even the team they just beat, Philadelphia. The Bears need another infusion of high-end talent and maturation from their young core before things really start clicking.
That said, Peterson is correct. Teams that run the ball well and can take it away defensively tend to do well in the playoffs. Ask the 2006 Bears. They had a mediocre quarterback, but ran the ball well and led the league in takeaways. That formula carried them to the Super Bowl. This version of the team has a better quarterback and a more dynamic head coach. Maybe it’s time to start at least accepting the possibility.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson strips off his shirt in celebration after beating the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ben Johnson broke new ground on Black Friday when he tore off his shirt in the post-game locker room to celebrate with his Chicago Bears players. The idea came up weeks ago when The Wiener Circle restaurant promised free hot dogs to all patrons if the head coach did such a thing. Johnson never promised anything. By that night in Philadelphia, most people had forgotten about it. The celebration was a huge surprise and received a raucous reaction from both the players and fans at home.
So why? What finally compelled Johnson to do it?
Part of it was the obvious motivation. He wanted to amp up his team and felt it would be a great moment for the fans, as it was on national television. However, he admitted there was another, more selfish reason.
“Well … Yeah. It was a spur-of-the-moment deal, I guess. I figured the sooner the better. Because I’m not in the weight room much anymore. So this thing keeps getting a little worse the further we go along in the season. … It was good. I hate to draw attention away from our players. But the intent was to bring up the city of Chicago and hopefully give them a little excitement. Because they are a big part of this journey as we’re going through this season also.”
Any normal person can completely relate to this. The last thing you want is to show off your body to millions of people when you’re not in great shape. Johnson felt that if he was going to do it, time was running out. To his credit, he still looks plenty fit. Mission accomplished.
Ben Johnson remains a smart, calculating individual.
There is no reason not to take him at his word. With the holiday season approaching, his physical shape was likely to soften a little bit. Still, it doesn’t feel like a coincidence that he chose that moment to do it. He knew how big a win that was over the Philadelphia Eagles. It was on the road against the defending champions. It was on national television. The players sense the immensity of the moment. Ben Johnson had no intention of letting it slip by without providing an exclamation point.
The Bears have momentum unlike anything seen since 2018. They’re starting to fire on all cylinders. Johnson is at the heart of it all, knowing which strings to pull and when to pull them. Chicago hasn’t seen a coach of this savvy in a long time.
Oct 26, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) looks on after the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Tyler Dunne of Go Long set off a bit of a firestorm a few months ago when he released a massive three-part piece about the Chicago Bears. In it, he covered the demise of Matt Eberflus, the supposed poor evaluation process when they drafted Caleb Williams, and the eventual hire of head coach Ben Johnson. Dunne surmised that Johnson was everything the Bears needed. He’d be the no-nonsense leader they haven’t had in years. However, he didn’t go so far as to say he’d also mold Williams into a star.
It was more suggested that Johnson would find out if the young quarterback truly had the stuff to become one. There was an undercurrent of belief that the head coach may not like what he found. In the present day, you might think the narrative has shifted. Williams has demonstrated excellent poise in late-game situations, leading five 4th quarter comebacks. He had 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions and is 9-3 as a starter. That should win over Johnson, right? Dunne isn’t certain.
He dropped several hints in a new column that suggest the coach isn’t sold.
Into this season, Johnson had goals for Caleb Williams. He wanted his starter to complete 70 percent of his passes. Considering the weaponry at his disposal and his refurbished offensive line, all signs pointed toward such a talent becoming the first player in the Bears’ 106-year history to throw for 4,000 yards, too. Instead, Williams is completing 58.1 percent of his passes. No quarterback with a minimum of 200 attempts has a lower mark…
…To elevate into legitimate Super Bowl contention, the Bears will obviously require at least average accuracy from their quarterback. If Williams hits half of the open receivers he’s missing, the Bears would’ve blown out opponents. Former pro Ryan Fitzpatrick called Williams’ feet “a mess” during the Friday broadcast…
…Make no mistake. Johnson’s fingerprints are all over these personnel decisions. The coach wouldn’t have taken this job without a strong say in who the Bears sign and draft.
That’s what should be most encouraging. He has only started to mold this roster…
…Chicago hit the jackpot. The future appears bright — regardless of who’s playing quarterback.
Caleb Williams’ future is tied to Johnson’s patience.
That is basically what is being implied here. Nobody questions the quarterback’s rare athletic ability, arm talent, and 4th quarter magic. However, you need more than that to win a Super Bowl. Efficiency is one of the biggest. Caleb Williams hasn’t been that for most of this season. Seven of his starts fell below a 90.0 quarterback rating this season. Eight saw him complete less than 60% of his passes. For a head coach who is widely known for his perfectionism, that isn’t something to ignore.
Johnson hasn’t offered any indication he’s getting fed up with Williams. His patience remains intact. However, that didn’t stop him from sending a clear message on Monday.
“Everybody has a role to play to get this pass game cleaned up. It’s not where it needs to be. We’re winning in spite of our passing game, not because of it. And none of us are pleased with that right now.”
Williams is in no danger of losing his job right now, nor should he be. That said, one has to wonder if that changes if he can’t clean up the consistency issues.
It didn’t take long to realize that Ben Johnson would not be that guy to sugarcoat his answer with pleasantries. Players and coaches alike will get one thing from him: the truth. It doesn’t matter if they want to hear it or not. Accountability is the word at Halas Hall, and that applies to everyone. Johnson has been sure to take the blame when things don’t always go according to plan. However, he makes sure not to let players slip away unscathed. He hasn’t been afraid to call them out publicly when they aren’t doing their jobs.
Monday was another such example. Johnson should still be basking in the glow of his team’s massive upset of the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles. Instead, he seemed unsatisfied. Much of it had to do with the performance of the passing game. Caleb Williams finished with 152 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and again failed even to reach 60% of his passes completed. When asked about the issues, Johnson revealed what’s holding things back.
Rest assured, it’s not just about the quarterback.
“Fundamentally be correct. The primary receiver, when he’s open, we’ve got to make sure we hit him. And then all of our pass catchers, we just harped on it today, we need to be more disciplined in our route detail. It’s not where it needs to be. Our depth’s not proper all the time. Our steps isn’t.”
If that wasn’t direct enough, Johnson dropped the hammer with his final comment on the subject.
“Everybody has a role to play to get this pass game cleaned up. It’s not where it needs to be. We’re winning in spite of our passing game, not because of it. And none of us are pleased with that.”
Ben Johnson told it like it is.
Right now, the Bears’ passing game hasn’t been good. Williams ranks 32nd in the league in on-target passing percentage (62.1%) this season. Simultaneously, Bears receivers have 18 drops this season, which is 6th-most in the NFL. So, basically, Williams isn’t accurate often enough, and when he is, his receivers aren’t consistently catching the ball. That is a bad combination. Hence why Ben Johnson said the problems are everywhere. The receivers have to run their routes better and catch the ball. Williams must throw with better timing and fundamentals.
These are all things that can be cleaned up. Johnson already proved it was possible with what he accomplished with the ground game. There is no reason to think he can’t do the same here. It is all about getting everybody on the same page. Sometimes that can take longer than people may like. The fact that Chicago continues to win regardless is a great thing.
Nov 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) hands off the ball to Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears know their identity right now. It is running the football. Head coach Ben Johnson has crafted one of the nastiest rushing schemes in the NFL, and it rolled through the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday night for 281 yards. Credit for that success primarily goes to the offensive line and running backs. The front five dominated the line of scrimmage, blowing open holes almost at will. D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai did a great job getting through them quickly. Most people would think Caleb Williams has little to do with any of it.
That isn’t true. Brandon Thorn is one of the best offensive line experts in the business. He pointed out recently that the young quarterback has mastered an art that many quarterbacks these days no longer bother to learn.
The Bears run game is functioning like a well-orchestrated symphony with them hitting their peak against the Eagles. Zone-based with gap concepts sprinkled in. Shrewd use of motion to clear out space, QB ball-handling from Caleb on point, cameraman being faked out. Ben Johnson &… pic.twitter.com/9iM5gDsIRt
Ballhandling by the quarterback may seem like an easy thing, but there is so much subtlety to it. The timing must be perfect, which can be difficult when playing under center. Every toss must be able to hit running backs in the chest. Williams seems to have mastered this, which is no small thing since he only started learning how to play this way a year ago.
If that weren’t enough, his efforts also extend to his play action facts. Each one looks the same as if it were a real handoff, which gets defenses to bite even harder. That is how the Bears got their game-sealing 28-yard touchdown to Cole Kmet.
Caleb Williams is doing the little things right.
The devil is always in the details. Peyton Manning has said he is frustrated with this generation of quarterbacks because they don’t take handoffs seriously enough. Learning to make a handoff and play fake look exactly the same is a crucial part of running the ball and play action working in concert. Somewhere in the past decade, that art was forgotten. Yet it appears Caleb Williams is one of those learning to embrace it, undoubtedly with a push from head coach Ben Johnson.
It hasn’t been perfect. There are other parts of his game that the quarterback must improve. His footwork in the pocket remains a work in progress and continues affecting his accuracy. Still, his influence on the run game can’t be ignored. It would’ve been easy for him to go through the motions until he got to throw the ball. Williams has instead chosen to embrace it.
Mar 19, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Cuba center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) reacts from first base after hitting an infield hit during the first inning against USA at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Luis Robert Jr. has reportedly decided he will not play for Team Cuba in the upcoming World Baseball Classic unless the national team changes its rules to allow all Cuban players a chance to participate.
Robert played for Cuba during the 2023 tournament, helping guide his home country to a semifinal appearance. In 27 at-bats, he recorded seven hits, drove in four runs, and scored twice. However, Robert was only able to participate in the World Baseball Classic due to a rule change by the Cuban Baseball Federation.
Under former Cuban ruler Fidel Castro, baseball players who left the island to pursue professional careers abroad were barred from returning and branded as traitors. For many athletes seeking a shot at Major League Baseball, or simply a better life, the only option was to risk their lives in dangerous escapes by sea.
In 2013, former Chicago White Sox first baseman José Abreu made such a journey. Abreu departed under the cover of darkness with five family members in a small, two-motor boat, enduring 15-foot waves and navigating around massive cargo ships during a harrowing 12-hour journey to freedom. It’s a harrowing experience that Abreu does not like discussing.
Years of players defecting from the island slowly began to drain Cuba’s talent, but Cuban baseball authorities refused to allow any players who lived abroad to play for the team. There is also an unwritten policy that bars players who defect from the national team from returning to the island, a restriction that was recently shortened from eight years to five.
But last November, the Cuban Baseball Federation decided to loosen its restrictions, asking a handful of MLB players if they wanted to play for the national team. However, some of the game’s biggest stars did not receive an invite. In the end, Robert, Yoan Moncada, Roenis Elias, and Yoenis Cespedes were the only four who agreed to participate.
The decision to play was met with strong pushback, particularly from former Cuban exiles. Castro outlawed professional sports in 1961, leaving athletes to survive on modest state salaries, one of the main reasons so many players living in poverty chose to leave the island in the first place. The national team has also historically been used as propaganda by Cuban leaders, who used the team’s success as a distraction from other issues.
Robert said he will not play for Team Cuba in the 2026 tournament until all Cuban players, regardless of where they live, are allowed to represent the national team.
According to theCuban Baseball Digest, catcher Edgar Quero will also not participate, joining a growing list of stars opting out, including Aroldis Chapman, Yandy Díaz, Nolan Arenado, Raisel Iglesias, Jorge Soler, and Nestor Cortes.
Nov 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles with offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (75) during the fourth quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears have had amazing turnarounds before. Their most famous was probably 2001, when they went from 5-11 the year before to 13-3. There was also 2005, going from 5-11 to 11-5. Finally, there was 2018, when they turned a 6-10 record into 12-4 and won the division. So what’s happening now in 2025 isn’t unprecedented for the Bears franchise. They were 5-12 last year and have now reached 9-3. However, the way they reached this point is anything but ordinary.
Mike Sando of The Athletic ran the numbers and reached a stunning conclusion. The Bears should not be here. That they are is a wholly rare occurrence in NFL history.
All signs point to the Bears’ record being better than the team itself. Chicago’s point differential (+6) is third-worst among 376 teams with nine victories in their first 12 games, per Pro Football Reference. The Bears are tied for third in the NFL win rate (.750) but only 16th in average point margin. Luck plays some role in the Bears going 4-1 in games decided by three or fewer points (their record was 1-5 in such games last season).
Put simply, most teams in this situation would have a losing record. The Bears have managed to overcome that bad point differential with uncommon resilience. They have five 4th quarter comebacks this season. Their ability to pull games out late is the story of the year. It is also why people have been reluctant to buy into them.
The Chicago Bears are ahead of schedule.
Usually, when a new coaching staff takes over, it takes at least a year for them to get acclimated before success starts happening. Mike Ditka went 3-6 in his first year. Lovie Smith went 5-11. Both needed to bring in players who fit their vision. Ben Johnson has managed to take the players he already has and maximize them. Most of the names on this roster weren’t signed or drafted when he took over. Even so, you’re seeing career years from several guys like D'Andre Swift, Darnell Wright, Kevin Byard, and Tremaine Edmunds.
Meanwhile, rookies like Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, Ozzy Trapilo, and Kyle Monangai are making big contributions. That is why it feels like the Chicago Bears are ahead of schedule. This kind of surge would’ve been expected next year, but it’s happening now. While the Super Bowl doesn’t feel realistic just yet, thoughts of it are no longer a dream.
Nov 26, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) celebrates his gaol against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
On Sunday afternoon, the Blackhawks came in with their heads hung low. They had lost five straight games, including a gross performance against the Predators on Friday. Their lack of energy showed early, going down 3-0 to the Ducks after 10 minutes (having given up two goals in the first 47 seconds).
As he’s done a few times over the course of his young career, he flipped a switch early on, putting the team on his back and putting up two goals and two assists, including a sweet puck handling play off of a turnover. He willed Chicago to a much-needed 5-3 win.
With four points on the night, he recorded his fifth career game of 4+ points, placing him eighth on the all-time NHL list among players age 20 or younger (Wayne Gretzky had 40 somehow, but that’s besides the point). He now finds himself in a tie for second in the entire NHL with 37 points, trailing only Nathan MacKinnon. He also won eight of 12 faceoffs, and the Olympics in a few months seem like a must at this point.
Naturally, after the latest in a long string of elite games this year for Bedard, the internet is talking about him as one of the best skaters in the entire NHL. That’s not a surprise simply based on his production so far.
It doesn’t seem like a huge stretch to consider him a top-10 player at this point. Sure, he may not quite be on the level of McDavid, MacKinnon, Makar, or Kucherov just yet (nobody expects him to be). But he’s certainly one of the most valuable players to his team in the entire NHL, and one of the most prolific scorers at this point.
The impressive part is that he’s doing this with Ryan Greene and Tyler Bertuzzi as his linemates. That isn’t to discredit either of them—I’m a firm believer that Bertuzzi is vital to this team’s success, and Greene has been a pleasant surprise this year. But it’s hard to compare Bedard’s game to that of someone like MacKinnon, who shares his top line with Artturi Lehkonen and Martin Necas. He’s doing more with less, which makes him even more valuable.
We can go back and forth all year about where Bedard slots into the top 10 skaters in the NHL, but the fact that we’re having these conversations already is a massive win for the Blackhawks. If he’s competing with these veteran superstars to be the face of the league at age 20, what conversations will we be having when he’s 22?
Nov 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) and running back Kyle Monangai (25) celebrate after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Let’s get this out of the way: The 2025 Chicago Bears are not the same bumbling circus act we’ve watched for the last decade. Nope. These Bears are 9-3, red-hot, riding a five-game heater, and — get this — currently sitting on top of the NFC. Yeah, read that again. Not tied for second. Not clawing for a Wild Card. Sitting. On. Top.
But before you start planning your January tailgates at Soldier Field, let’s pump the brakes. The road to the NFC’s #1 seed — and that sweet, sweet first-round bye — is real, but it’s steep, narrow, and loaded with a difficult schedule ahead.
Let’s break down the reality of the Bears’ situation. Not the fairytale. Not the clickbait fantasy. Just the cold, hard path to the top.
A Three-Way Knife Fight for the NFC Crown
The NFC playoff picture is about as pretty as a Chicago winter: icy, brutal, and everybody’s fighting for the last warm seat. The Bears, Rams, and Seahawks are all sitting at 9-3, while the Eagles (8-4), Packers (8-3-1), and 49ers (9-4) are just lurking in the weeds.
Right now, the Bears hold the edge thanks to a better conference record. But we’ve seen how quickly that house of cards can collapse. One loss, and boom — you’re fighting for Wild Card scraps.
Here’s how the top NFC contenders line up:
Team
Record
Key Remaining Games
Chicago Bears
9-3
@ GB, vs. CLE, vs. GB, @ SF, vs. DET
LA Rams
9-3
@ ARI, vs. DET, @ SEA, @ ATL, vs. ARI
Seattle Seahawks
9-3
@ ATL, vs. IND, vs. LAR, @ CAR, @ SF
Philly Eagles
8-4
@ LAC, vs. LV, @ WAS, @ BUF, vs. WAS
Green Bay Packers
8-3-1
vs. CHI, @ DEN, @ CHI, vs. BAL, @ MIN
SF 49ers
9-4
Bye, vs. TEN, @ IND, vs. CHI, vs. SEA
Detroit Lions
7-5
vs. DAL, @ LAR, vs. PIT, @ MIN, @ CHI
Tampa Bay Bucs
7-5
vs. NO, vs. ATL, @ CAR, @ MIA, vs. CAR
If that doesn’t scream chaos, I don’t know what does.
The Bears’ Schedule: A Five-Week Death March
Let’s not sugarcoat this: Chicago’s final five games are brutal. Their remaining opponents have a combined winning percentage of .590. Only the Seahawks (.597) face a tougher gauntlet.
Two games against the Packers, who are rolling and smell blood.
A road trip to San Francisco, which is basically a guaranteed street fight.
A Lions team in Week 18 that could be desperate for a playoff spot.
There’s no Cardinals or Commanders to pad stats here. Every win will be earned the hard way — with bruises, blood, and probably a missed field goal or two just to keep it spicy.
Meanwhile, the Rams are cruising with the softest schedule among top contenders (.433). They play Arizona twice and get a crack at Atlanta. Seahawks? Also in hell. Eagles? Practically on vacation with a .400 strength of schedule.
So yeah, if the Bears do pull this off, it won’t be because they lucked into it. It’ll be because they earned every damn inch.
What’s Actually Working for Chicago
Okay, time for the good news. The Bears are good. Like, actually good.
This isn’t just smoke and mirrors. The five-game win streak includes a knockout blow to Philly. The offense, led by a finally-unleashed Caleb Williams and a top-five rushing attack, is humming. The defense? Aggressive, violent, and opportunistic.
They’re not winning by accident. They’re imposing their will, hitting harder, and playing smarter.
This is what we’ve been waiting for: a Bears team that doesn’t fold in the fourth quarter or rely on punters to win field position battles. There’s confidence in the building. Swagger, even. And that matters.
The Key Matchups That Will Make or Break It
1. @ Green Bay (Week 14)
You can’t talk about the Bears’ chances without bringing up the boogeyman in Green and Gold. Going to Lambeau with the #1 seed on the line? That’s some horror movie energy.
If the Bears win this one, it not only puts them in the driver’s seat — it psychologically wrecks Green Bay heading into the final stretch. Lose? The Packers leapfrog and possibly control the division.
2. @ San Francisco (Week 17)
Circle this game in blood. The Niners will be rested, mean, and in playoff mode. Winning in Santa Clara is a test of will — and the Bears better bring their lunch pail.
3. vs. Detroit (Week 18)
Could be for the division. Could be for the #1 seed. Could be to keep the Lions out of the postseason entirely. Either way, this one’s going to be a war.
What Needs to Happen (And It’s Not That Crazy)
Let’s do the math. If the Bears go 4-1 to close the year, they finish 13-4. That likely gets them the #1 seed. The Rams would need to win out to match that — possible, but not guaranteed. Same with Seattle.
Key takeaways:
Beat the Packers twice = double win (your record + their loss)
Hope the Rams drop one (SEA or DET could do it)
Hope the Seahawks lose at SF or vs. LAR
Don’t stub your toe against Cleveland or Detroit
It’s all on the table. It’s not easy. But it’s real.
Final Verdict
This isn’t about some miracle run or hoping the stars align. The Bears are in control of their fate. Win, and they stay on top. Lose, and they’re just another middle-seed hoping to not draw San Fran in the first round.
The margin for error is thinner than Soldier Field sod in December. But this team, for the first time in forever, looks like it belongs in the fight.
So here’s to five more games. Five more shots to prove the league wrong. Five more opportunities to bury the old narrative and maybe — just maybe — get that top seed.
Because if these Bears pull it off? Nobody’s going to want to come to Chicago in January.
