With the entire NFL having trimmed their rosters down, including the Chicago Bears, the 2026 regular season is right around the corner, and for the Bears, they find themselves on the doorstep of contention.
After a majorly dysfunctional 2024 season, the entire franchise shifted when Ben Johnson arrived. Chicago won 11 games, won the NFC North, and advanced into the second round of the playoffs. Given the 2025 success, many are looking at Chicago as a team to beat in 2026.
But that won't happen unless the Bears not only increase their win total but also win games they should. Does Chicago have any guaranteed wins on their schedule for 2026?
Identifying four guaranteed wins on the Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 2 vs. Minnesota Vikings
While Kyler Murray should be a major upgrade over who the Minnesota Vikings had in 2025, Week 2 might still be too early for Murray and the Vikings offense to settle into their own. This could give the Bears a major advantage at home, as Murray and the offense might still be struggling a bit.
Murray also owns a career-losing record playing away from home, so this matchup simply presents an ideal chance for the Bears to earn a crucial NFC North win. While Minnesota did manage to win nine games last year, the Murray era could take more time to truly get going.
Week 4 vs. New York Jets
A bottom-5 team in the league, the New York Jets head to Chicago to face the Bears in Week 4. Both Johnson and Jets head coach Aaron Glenn were recently the coordinators on the Detroit Lions, so there are some obvious connections here.
With that said, the Jets are still a bit of a mess. Geno Smith is their starting quarterback, and he's not only on his third team in as many years, but he's thrown 32 interceptions since the start of 2024 and is clearly a temporary solution.
The Jets actually have a trio of first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, and while the team did infuse the offense with some young talent this offseason, next year's draft is likely where the Jets really plan on making a splash.
For the time being, the 2026 season is primed to be another losing season for the Jets, and with the Bears simply being a better team and having the better head coach and QB, this should be a win.
Week 6 @ Atlanta Falcons
Speaking of shaky QB play, the Bears travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons in Week 6, and right now, the Falcons don't have a slam-dunk starting QB. With no clarity at the position, two below-average options in Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr, and both struggling to stay healthy, this could be a game where the Bears win just for these reasons alone.
While the Falcons do have some intimidating players on offense like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts, they might not have a viable QB to get those players the ball. Atlanta will also be without pass-rusher Jalon Walker for all of 2026, and James Pearce Jr. due to suspension. The Falcons' pass-rush will be weaker for this matchup, and the obvious QB advantage should ultimately swing this game in Chicago's favor.
Week 14 @ Miami Dolphins
Perhaps the worst team in the NFL, the Miami Dolphins host the Bears in Week 14. Miami is embracing a full-scale rebuild and is in year one of this, so if there was any season for the Dolphins to be horrible, it's 2026.
Not only do they not have a long-term QB plan right now, but the roster has largely been gutted this offseason, and a new regime is in place. Miami might be able to steal a game or two in 2026, but the overall lack of talent on the roster, coupled with the new coaching staff and iffy QB play, could make the Dolphins an obvious team to pick first overall in the NFL Draft next year.
Read more: These 4 Bears practice squad members should be on 53-man roster right now
This isn't to say that the Dolphins can't eventually see this rebuild pay off, but the team is totally starting fresh, and there are about 30 other teams that are simply in a better spot right now than the Dolphins are. With this game being in Week 14 and Chicago likely being right in the middle of an NFC North race, it becomes even more of a must-win.
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