CHICAGO BEARS
2025 Record - 11-6-0
Head Coach - Ben Johnson
2025 Offensive Rank - 370 YPG (6th); Rushing - 145 YPG (3rd), Passing - 225 YPG (10th) SCORING - 25.9 PPG (9th)
2025 Defensive Rank - 362 YPG (29th); Rushing - 135 YPG (27th), Passing - 227 YPG (22nd) SCORING - 24.4 PPG (23rd)
Key Player Additions - Coby Bryant (DB), Devin Bush (LB), Garrett Bradbury (OL), Scotty Miller (WR), Cam Lewis (DB), Neville Gallimore (DL), Dillon Thieneman (DB)
Key Player Losses - DJ Moore (WR), Jaquan Brisker (DB), Andrew Billings (DL), Kevin Byard III (DB), Drew Dalman (OL), Tremaine Edwards (LB), Nashon Wright (DB), Olamide Zaccheaus (WR)
OFFENSE - Third year quarterback Caleb Williams is back after a good season in 2025, when he passed for 3,942 yards along with 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. Williams also rushed for 388 yards and scored three touchdowns. Running backs D'Andre Swift (1,087 yards, 4.9 YPC, nine TD) and Kyle Monangai (783, 4.6, 5 TD) will look to lead a solid rushing attack which was third in the NFL last season. The wide receivers are Rome Odunze (44 receptions, 661 yards, six TD), Luther Burden III (47, 652, two TD) along with tight ends Colston Loveland, who led the team with 58 receptions last year for 713 yards and six touchdowns and Cole Kmet, who had 30 receptions for 347 yards and two scores. Scotty Miller, Zavion Thomas and Jahdae Walker will look to add depth.
DEFENSE - Defensive End Montez Sweat (10 sacks), Gervon Dexter (six sacks) and Austin Booker (4 1/2 sacks) lead the way up front along with linebackers Devin Bush (124 tackles and three interceptions with Cleveland), D'Marco Jackson and T.J. Edwards. The secondary features Coby Bryant (free agent from Seattle) at safety and he had four interceptions last year along with Elijah Hicks and rookie Dillon Thieneman (Oregon). The cornerbacks are Jaylen Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon. The Bears defense led the NFL with 23 interceptions a year ago and had the best plus/minus turnover rate with a plus-22 in the 2025 season.
2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - It was a season for the ages in 2025 as the Bears staged so many comeback wins, including a huge effort against the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round as they overcame an 18-point deficit to win. Second year Head Coach Ben Johnson proved to be a difference maker with his offensive prowess and the way he showed Caleb Williams how to do it in crunch time. The big question for this year will be can the Bears do it again?
The offense looks solid coming into training camp, but the defense will have to step up after being one of the worst units in the league last year. The Bears did lead the NFL in takeaways but that cannot be the foundation for a defense again after finishing 29th overall, allowing 362 yards per game while getting just 35 sacks. The team let their three leading tacklers go during the off-season as well as the three players who had the most interceptions, so the replacements coming into this season must be ready to go, including Devin Bush at linebacker and highly touted rookie defensive back Dillon Thieneman and Neville Gallimore on the defensive line.
Playing in the NFC North, the Bears were able to win the division last year, but Green Bay, Detroit and Minnesota all had winning records and this division traditionally is very competitive. If the Bears want to get back to the post-season, they will need to remain strong with the running game and show much more consistency on defense. Relying on fourth quarter heroics for a second straight season could lead to disappointment when January rolls around, but as long as Williams is healthy and playing well, this team should be in the mix for the playoffs again.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at Carolina
Week Two - vs. Minnesota
Week Three - vs. Philadelphia
Week Four - vs. N.Y. Jets
Week Five - at Green Bay
Week Six - at Atlanta
Week Seven - vs. New England
Week Eight - at Seattle
Week Nine - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Ten - BYE
Week Eleven - vs. New Orleans
Week Twelve - at Detroit
Week Thirteen - vs. Jacksonville
Week Fourteen - at Miami
Week Fifteen - at Buffalo
Week Sixteen - vs. Green Bay
Week Seventeen - vs. Detroit
Week Eighteen - at Minnesota
No comments:
Post a Comment