If there is a team that needed a win during the offseason in 2025, it was the Chicago Bears.
From the disastrous Thanksgiving debacle to finishing 5-12 on the season, this was a team plagued by unfortunate events. There were multiple coaching changes, an offensive line allowing 68 sacks, and way too many one-possession losses.
The Bears were more than happy to hit the reset button during the 2025 offseason, with the leadoff being the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach and closing with general manager Ryan Poles receiving praise for his performance in the NFL Draft. Some claimed the Bears were the offseason champions last year, but 2025 topped what they did a year ago.
Bears back on top of offseason winners with latest rankings
CBS Sports writer Josh Edwards ranked the top 10 offseasons in the NFL, with Chicago taking the top spot. The Bears were praised for the work they did up front and the new rookies selected.
"The changes for the Bears began at the top with incoming head coach Ben Johnson. Johnson was regarded as one of the game's most forward-thinking, dynamic offensive play-callers in his former role with the Lions, and Chicago is hoping that success follows him within the division. The roster supplementation did not end there, however.
The NFC North franchise ate its vegetables by upgrading the offensive line through the acquisitions of Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson. The defensive line's floor should be elevated with Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo joining the cause. Pass-catchers Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland were added in the draft.
The biggest red flag is that Chicago was atop this list last year as well."
All this work was aimed at providing quarterback Caleb Williams with the best supporting cast of his young NFL career. The interior of the offensive line was the most critical area for rebuilding among any position group on the team. Their defensive line getting some new pass rushers helps take the pressure off of Montez Sweat to get double-teamed on the line.
While concerns about Chicago being at the top of the offseason winners again are present, this is a different team from 2024. For one, Johnson is leading the way over Matt Eberflus, and Johnson had more success as an assistant, taking the job than Eberflus. The credibility that Johnson has already built is light years ahead of Eberflus.
Read more: PFF proves Bears made perfect call to hire Ben Johnson to fix broken offense
The talent on the roster is there. Ultimately, it falls to Johnson and his staff to coach the players. Williams also has pressure to perform at a high level as the former number one overall pick.
The back-to-back offseason champions now need to make it Super Bowl champions instead.