The NFL's preseason is in the books and now everyone is trying to get in their predictions for the regular season before it happens.
ESPN compiled a list of who the network predicts to be the top 100 players in the 2025 NFL season. Two Chicago Bears players made the list, with cornerback Jaylon Johnson at number 68 and offensive guard Joe Thuney at number 64
Starting with Johnson, many consider him one of the top 10 shutdown corners in the NFL.
"Recent extensions for cornerbacks around the league make the four-year, $76 million contract Johnson signed last offseason look like a steal. That's all the motivation the Bears' top corner needs to turn in a season worthy of getting back to the negotiating table. Johnson's negative-4.9% completion rate over expectation was the third-best in the NFL among corners with at least 500 coverage snaps in 2024."
The Bears are getting a home run with Thuney after two straight seasons of being named as an All-Pro while playing on the Kansas City Chiefs.
"The Bears' most important offseason decision was flipping their interior offensive line. Thuney, who is coming off back-to-back first-team All-Pro seasons with Kansas City, is the key to an improved pass protection for quarterback Caleb Williams. Thuney has been one of the league's top guards since being drafted in 2016, and also very durable (only two games missed over nine regular seasons)."
How good are Johnson and Thuney and did ESPN miss any other Bears players?
The Bears have been able to develop Johnson into a difference maker in that secondary with back-to-back seasons selected to the Pro Bowl. He's has six interceptions in those two seasons while allowing a completion percentage of 60.6%.
Thuney is one of the elite offensive linemen in the NFL. He has been selected to three Pro Bowls, two first-team All-Pros, two second-team All-Pros, and has missed just two games in his nine-year career.
Both guys are more than worthy to be on that list as they are the two most important players on the Bears, besides quarterback Caleb Williams, of course. Are there any other Bears that should have made the list?
Some players to watch out for are wide receiver Rome Odunze, as he and Williams have developed quite the chemistry. Williams himself would be a solid candidate to make it into the top 100. Don't sleep on Jaquan Brisker, who could be in for a monster season after only playing in five games last year.
Read more: Ryan Poles' next wave of roster cuts is obvious to all Bears fans
The Bears are stacked with their roster and could have more players ready to step up and becoming apart of the elite group at the end of the year.