The Chicago Bears are coming up on what’s going to be an exciting year for the Windy City, because they’re a totally new team when it comes to both their coaching staff and much of their roster. This season, the Bears ushered in head coach Ben Johnson of the Detroit Lions, who’s known for being one of the greatest offensive-minded coaches in the league right now.
There are high hopes that Johnson will work wonders with Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who was drafted by the Bears with the No. 1 overall pick during the 2024 NFL draft. Williams was expected to have a massive rookie season, he didn’t quite deliver. That was a lot of pressure for a rookie, and he wasn’t given all of the tools that he needed at the time, so it’s not really fair to blame him, but let’s just say that this year will be an important one for Williams.
Now, Johnson and Williams are heading towards the 2025-26 season. It’s early to start making predictions, but the team has received some very good news, and it should make both Williams and Johnson feel good.
Bears’ Secondary is Strong
The Chicago Bears have something to celebrate going into the 2025-26 season. In a story published on Tuesday, July 8, John Kosko lays out the best secondaries in the NFL. Note that “PFF has clarified its position on the coverage versus pass rush debate for team-building purposes. Nothing on the defensive side of the football translates better to points allowed than a secondary’s performance in coverage.”
They add that this “means if a team expects to field a top-three defense in the NFL, it better end up as a top-ranked unit on this list when we revisit after the season.”
So, where do the Bears land? Chicago is in a pretty good spot at No. 7 on the tally.
“The Bears boast a mix of seasoned veterans and young stars in what has become a very solid secondary,” Kosko notes. “Cornerback Jaylon Johnson has been one of the NFL’s best over the past two seasons, while safety Kevin Byard—though past his prime—continues to play at a high level.” He adds that “Kyler Gordon excels in the slot, but the one weak spot remains Tyrique Stevenson, who famously struggled to defend a Hail Mary against the Commanders.”
So, those are a lot of positive words for the Bears, which is a good thing for the Windy City.
Not So Good on Offense
Now, when it comes to offense, that’s a different story. In a Tuesday, July 8 feature for ESPN, NFL expert Bill Barnwell discusses the best playmakers in the NFL, and the Bears are one of the teams that he profiles.
Barnwell has the Bears at No. 25 on the tally. Yikes. They were No. 6 last year, so that’s a big dip.
“There are reasons to be optimistic about Chicago’s playmakers, but that was also the case a year ago,” Barnwell notes. But, he also adds, “The arrival of new coach Ben Johnson suggests the offense will be put in much better positions to succeed, and indeed, it will hardly be a shock if the Bears go from one of the league’s worst schemes to one of its best.”
