At 5-3, the Chicago Bears have been a mixed bag in 2025 -- flashes of progress under new head coach Ben Johnson, moments of regression, and a team still working to find its long-term rhythm.
But even amid the inconsistency, the Bears have seen standout performances from unexpected places. Their offensive identity is slowly taking shape, their rookie class has shown legitimate promise, and some familiar faces have taken a step back.
With the first half of the season in the books, here are the Bears’ midseason awards: team MVP, best draft pick, and biggest disappointment.
Team MVP: OL Joe Thuney
Offensive linemen rarely get their due, but Thuney has been everything Chicago hoped for and more. The veteran guard, signed from Kansas City this offseason, has brought stability, intelligence, and toughness to a rebuilt offensive line. A three-time Super Bowl champion and longtime model of consistency since his New England days, Thuney has been the glue that holds the Bears’ offense together.
Through eight games, he’s played 533 offensive snaps without missing a single one. In 299 reps in pass pro, he’s allowed just six total pressures -- five hurries and one quarterback hit -- the most important thing, however? No sacks.
That’s elite production from one of football’s most technically sound interior linemen.
Lining up next to center Drew Dalman and right guard Jonah Jackson, Thuney has helped solidify an interior that’s gone from a weakness to a major strength.
At 32, Thuney’s not just playing at a high level; he’s setting the tone for a young roster that’s learning what consistency looks like at the highest level of the sport.
Most Impressive Draft Pick: RB Kyle Monangai
In a deep eight-player draft class, few expected the seventh-round pick (No. 233 overall) to be the breakout name by midseason, considering the level of talent present from the ballplayers that had heard their name called before him.
But for Monangai, a bruising back that ran over the Big Ten for years at Rutgers, has quickly become one of Chicago’s most pleasant surprises.
Thus far, he's carried the ball 68 times for 362 yards and a touchdown while adding nine receptions as a versatile option out of the backfield. His coming-out party arrived in Week 9 against Cincinnati, when he stepped in for D'Andre Swift, exploding for 176 yards on 26 carries -- a performance that will earn him more touches moving forward.
You could make a case for rookie tight end Colston Loveland, who’s had flashes, but Monangai’s consistency and immediate impact make him the clear pick here.
Most Disappointing: OT Braxton Jones
For a player who once looked like a long-term starter, Jones’ 2025 campaign has been a frustrating setback. The former fifth-round pick out of Southern Utah (2022) has battled injuries and poor form, appearing in just four games and struggling mightily when available.
In those four outings, Jones has allowed 15 pressures, including two sacks and 11 hurries, a steep drop-off from his previous seasons (2022–2024), when he was one of the Bears’ more dependable linemen.
Despite earning his starting job again this summer, his play quickly regressed, leading to him being benched in favor of Theo Benedet -- who hasn’t impressed either.
With the rest of Chicago’s offensive line improving around him -- including Darnell Wright continuing to shine on the right side -- Jones’ struggles have amplified.
Read more: Battering ram rising: Why Kyle Monangai deserves more carries for Bears
For a franchise trying to stabilize its protection, his regression has been both costly and concerning.