After exceeding expectations in 2025, the Chicago Bears are facing even more pressure in 2026 to perform well and get at least close to the Super Bowl.
The Bears have a ton of young talent on the roster, but are still a piece or two away from being considered a team that can win it all. Their starting lineup looks solid, with a great group of depth players.
Looking at the bench, there are four players who could make a massive impact on the team and might even help them get to the Super Bowl. Here are the four the Bears fan base should be watching as big-impact players.
Austin Booker, DE
Booker might end up starting, but for the time being, if Dayo Odeyingbo is healthy, he will most likely start. That leaves Booker coming off the bench for the Bears, as he had 4.5 sacks in 10 games last year. With Odeyingbo struggling early on in his Chicago career, the Bears could lean more on Booker to be more involved in the pass rush with the hopes of having a massive Year 3 breakout.
Cole Kmet, TE
Colston Loveland is the star of the Bears' offense in the passing game, as Kmet has been reduced to a backup role. After seeing his game-tying touchdown in the NFC Divisional Round against the Los Angeles Rams, though, Kmet proved to be the man that the Bears need to lean on if Loveland goes down. Kmet is still a solid tight end in the NFL, and with Bears head coach Ben Johnson finally figuring out how to use the tight ends in the offseason, Kmet should put up better numbers in 2026.
Neville Gallimore, DT
Going back to the defensive line, the interior linemen really struggled last season outside of Gervon Dexter Sr. Grady Jarrett struggled to live up to his $43.5 million contract, so they brought in Gallimore to give the Bears the depth needed at the position. Gallimore was one of three defensive tackles signed in free agency, but he's the only one who got a two-year deal, leaving him with more pressure to step up as a rotational lineman.
Read more: Bears OTAs exposed problem fans can actually get behind
Zavion Thomas, WR
It's not clear whether Thomas will play any kind of role on offense in 2026, but from how OTAs went, it's going to be hard for the Bears to ignore him. His 4.28-second speed gives the Bears a different dynamic, with Johnson using him as a receiver and running back. While Thomas will be a key contributor on special teams as a returner, he could also be a weapon on offense.
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