CHICAGO BEARS
2024 Record - 5-12-0
Head Coach - Ben Johnson
2024 Offensive Rank - (32nd overall) - 284 YPG; Passing - 182 YPG (31st), Rushing - 102 YPG (25th); SCORING - 18.2 PPG (25th)
2024 Defensive Rank - (27th overall) - 354 YPG; Passing - 218 YPG (16th), Rushing - 136 YPG (28th); SCORING - 21.8 PPG (13th)
Key Additions for 2025 - Joe Thuney (OL), Drew Dalman (OL), Grady Jarrett (DL), Dayo Odeyingbo (DL), Colston Loveland (rookie - Michigan), Olamide Zaccheaus (WR)
Key Losses for 2025 - Keenan Allen (WR), Teven Jenkins (OL), Matt Pryor (OL), Coleman Shelton (OL), DeMarcus Walker (DL)
OFFENSE - Second year quarterback Caleb Williams passed for 3,541 yards with 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions last year and also rushed for 489 yards with a 6.0 YPG, but was sacked 68 times. Either Tyson Bagent or Case Keenum will be the backup QB this season. The running game has D'Andre Swift (959 yards, 3.8 YPG, six TD) and Roschon Johnson (150 yards, six TD) along with rookie Kyle Monangai (Rutgers) in camp. DJ Moore leads the wide receivers and last year he had 98 receptions for 966 yards and six touchdowns. Rome Odunze (54, 734, three TD) had a decent rookie season and will be targeted more this year with veteran Keenan Allen heading back to the L.A. Chargers. The tight ends are Cole Kmet (47, 474, four TD) and rookie Colston Loveland (Michigan).
DEFENSE - Defensive End Montez Sweat leads the front line and he had 5 1/2 quarterback sacks in 2024. Newcomers (via free agency) include Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo while Gervon Dexter (five sacks) and Andrew Billings are also on hand. The linebackers are T.J. Edwards (129 tackles, including four sacks), Tremaine Edmunds (110 tackles), Noah Sewell and Amen Ogbongbemiga. Rookie Ruben Hyppolite II (Maryland) could see playing time as well. The secondary has corners Jaylon Johnson (two interceptions), Tyrique Stevenson (two INT) and Kyler Gordon. The safeties are Kevin Byard (team high 130 tackles), Jaquan Brisker and Jonathan Owens.
OUTLOOK - New Head Coach Ben Johnson is much lauded coming over to the Bears after serving as the offensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions and he will work with Caleb Williams to move the second year QB along to hopefully bigger and better results. The Bears averaged a meager 18.2 points per game last year and that has to improve. The offensive line was overhauled with three spots getting new players as Williams was sacked 68 times last year. The Bears offense was the worst in pro football in total yardage in 2024 and near the bottom as well in rushing, passing and scoring. With better pass protection and perhaps better run blocking, that should improve this year.
The defense took a major step back last year as the Bears ranked near the bottom of the NFL in total defense and struggled against the run. The pass defense was adequate, but too often gave up big plays in critical moments, which helped lead to seven one-score losses. The Bears only picked off eleven passes and had 40 sacks and were a plus-8 in turnovers, but were burned too often late in games. Clock management will be worked on as well this season. The Thanksgiving Day game debacle in Detroit led to the firing of former head coach Matt Eberflus and Johnson is intent on efficiency on both sides of the ball for success.
The Bears are up against it in the NFC North, which had the other three teams all make the playoffs last year. The Bears had seven one-score losses last season, so a good start and consistent play, especially on offense, could lead to a much better season. The playoffs are a long shot, but how well the team develops under the new game plan will decide how far the Bears can go.
2025 SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Minnesota
Week Two - at Detroit
Week Three - vs. Dallas
Week Four - at Las Vegas
Week Five - BYE
Week Six - at Washington
Week Seven - vs. New Orleans
Week Eight - at Baltimore
Week Nine - at Cincinnati
Week Ten - vs. N.Y. Giants
Week Eleven - at Minnesota
Week Twelve - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Thirteen - at Philadelphia
Week Fourteen - at Green Bay
Week Fifteen - vs. Cleveland
Week Sixteen - vs. Green Bay
Week Seventeen - at San Francisco
Week Eighteen - vs. Detroit
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