What to Expect from the Chicago Bears in 2026

The 2026 Chicago Bears are set to defend their NFC North title as they go streaking into the season with high hopes. This is not quite the same team that we saw win eleven games last season, including a playoff game, thus turning things around. This team, we hope, might be at least a little bit better and can exceed what they did in 2025. But after a preseason full of injuries, the Bears must do more to make themselves not only a contender but the top team in NFC North and maybe even the NFC.

What should we expect from the Bears in 2026? Are they going to get to new heights or will they hit new lows? Let’s look at what the Bears might do in 2026, how far they will go, and who is going to get them there.

The Johnson Effect

Head coach Ben Johnson has turned this team around. He’s instilled confidence in the players, brought in some great talent, and has created an offensive scheme that is almost second to none. After a rise that was not expected to happen, the Bears are now expected to maintain their place atop the NFC North and do even better than they did last season.

But can they?

You must be a believer in what Johnson has been able to do and will do this year. He’s got this team believing, he’s got an offense that is poised to tear holes in opposing defenses, and he will get the most out of his players. He’s a magician, and he’s going to need to be with some of the setbacks the Bears have had this offseason. With his group of coaches, he’s going to get all he can out of these players, and they are likely going to win many games.

Is The Defense the Weak Link?

The defense wasn’t the bright and shining star that everyone hoped it would be during the preseason. Injuries and some odd personnel moves have made it a little less appealing to the experts. Some fear the defense will be the downfall of the team this season, and it’s possible that they could be. But with coordinator Dennis Allen at the helm, anything is possible, as we saw last year.

Despite the fact that they did poorly against the run and could not rush the passer, the team had a ton of takeaways. This would need to be the case once again, but do they have the playmakers to get so many turnovers? We’ll certainly have to hope so, or it’s going to be a very long season for this team.

No More Cardiac Bears?

As a big fan of the Chicago Bears, I lived and almost died with their cardiac play last season. They were some of the craziest moments of my football life, and I am sure that many Bears fans agree that going through that again may be tough. Sure, a win is a win, but the last-second, heart-attack-inducing wins have got to be limited. It would be great to see the Bears win some games by more than a touchdown. It would be awesome to see them cruise to some comfortable victories in 2026.

The cardiac Bears were exciting to watch, but cutting it close was making fans quite nervous from game to game. The heroics in the waning moments of the game were mostly courtesy of quarterback Caleb Williams. He won many games for the Bears in the final moments last season. Williams is poised to have a breakout season. If he does, the Bears are going to be sitting pretty and could be headed to a Super Bowl.

For The Record

What will Chicago’s record be when it’s all said and done this season? You could be looking at a carbon copy of last year’s record, 11-6. However, the Bears might win just a couple of more games this year. Yes, that might be hard to believe with the way their defense looks heading into the season. The Bears are going to be explosive on offense, and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will keep opposing offenses guessing.

This team is going places and will certainly, at the least, make the playoffs again. Anything less would be a huge disappointment. Something would have to go very wrong for them not to make the postseason. And if they do make the playoffs, they may go far.

Let’s hope that they do that and give Bears fans a lot to be happy about.