Super Bowl aspirations are at the top of every Chicago Bears fan's mind going into the 2026 season.
The Bears finished last year with an 11-6 record, won the NFC North, and beat the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round after coming back from being down by 18 points. Everything about last year was great, but losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional round just made it more important for this upcoming season to end with a Super Bowl.
There are three key things the Bears must accomplish if they want to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in over four decades and take home the Lombardi Trophy.
Caleb Williams breaks the franchise passing yards record and makes the Pro Bowl
The Bears are reliant on Caleb Williams to take a massive step forward in his development in the 2026 season, and many believe it will happen. Breaking the franchise record for passing yards seems inevitable at this point, but Williams putting himself in the MVP conversation with a Pro Bowl selection would go a long way. Williams has a big season ahead of him, and if he can get that completion percentage up, the possibilities are endless for the franchise quarterback.
Bears finish in the top 10 in sacks
This doesn't seem like a lofty goal, but after having only 33 sacks in 17 regular season games last year, the Bears need to improve their pass rush. Montez Sweat feels like a lock to have at least 10 sacks in the season, but guys like Austin Booker, Shemar Turner, and Dayo Odeyingbo have no choice but to step up and improve their numbers. Watch for Gervon Dexter to have his sack numbers increase from six last year, but regardless, the Bears have to do better with the pass rush.
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Chicago finishes in the top 5 in rushing....again
There are some key differences in the offensive line at left tackle and center, but that doesn't change the fact that running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai need to have big seasons. They both combined for over 1,700 rushing yards a season ago and would love to see that number increase. If they can get over 2,000 yards combined between the two, this Bears offense will be unstoppable between them and Williams with his pass catchers.
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