The Chicago Bears are in their bye week after a 7-2 start to the year and coming off a big Week 9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This gives everyone time to reflect on how the season has been for the Bears so far.
A lot has already happened for the Bears. From quarterback Caleb Williams' hamstring injury to Chicago trading for defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, there have certainly been ups and downs this year. With all of that, the Bears find themselves in first place in the NFC North during their bye week.
With so many strong individual performances this season, there are plenty of awards to give out to the team's best players. Here is a look at midseason awards we share with the team.
Chicago Bears 2026 midseason awards
Bears Comeback Player of the Year: Kyler Gordon, CB
Sure, Williams could be an easy choice for the award after having some great games coming off his hamstring injury. What Gordon has meant to the Bears since his return, though, has been nothing short of impressive.
In four games, Gordon has racked up 13 tackles, five tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass deflection. After all the noise and criticism around his soft-tissue injury during training camp, the beginning of the regular season looks like a key part of this defense in the second half of the season.
Bears Biggest Disappointment of the Year: Jaylon Johnson, CB
Johnson's falloff from where he was just two years ago to now is so disappointing. This year, he has allowed 27 tackles, three pass deflections, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one interception, and one pick-six. He has allowed a 67.4% completion percentage and a 104.9 passer rating, according to Pro Football Reference.
His Week 9 performance against the Buccaneers was encouraging, as he allowed a 20% completion percentage and had an interception returned for a touchdown. Johnson needs to keep having games like that to keep being removed from this award.
Bears Rookie of the Year: Dillon Thieneman, S
Thieneman has been a ton of fun to watch in his first year in the NFL. He leads the Bears in tackles with 57 tackles, plus five pass deflections, three quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one interception.
The versatile weapon has really stepped up with Coby Bryant not playing and has shown to be a combination of a linebacker and defensive back in this defense. Thieneman is only going to get better in this unit and could be in the running for the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Bears Special Teams Player of the Year: Tory Taylor, P
Taylor has been reliable, as always. He ranks 11th in the NFL in net yards per punt (43.1), and his longest field goal is 65 yards.
There really hasn't been much flashiness from this Bears special teams throughout the year. One thing every Bears fan can trust, though, is that Taylor will do his job well.
Bears Defensive Player of the Year: Austin Booker, DE
Booker is officially having a career season, and the Bears are just halfway through the year. He has racked up 27 tackles, eight quarterback hits, six tackles for loss, five sacks, one pass deflection, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick.
Chicago will need to keep leaning on Booker for pass rush this season, but watch out for Jeffery Simmons to make a case for Defensive Player of the Year. Booker will have to fight Simmons off for that spot.
Honorable mention: Jeffery Simmons, DT
While Booker has been on a tear and fully breaking out, there's no doubt who the best defensive player is going to be come season's end. With just two games in, we'll hold Simmons' name for now.
Bears Offensive Player of the Year: D'Andre Swift, RB
Swift has had to help this Bears team through Williams' injury and Kyle Monanagi missing five games. That has turned into a strong season for Swift, who has rushed for 576 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has also caught 24 passes for 162 yards in nine games.
As Williams progresses through the season, he might end up in this category, but for now, it needs to be Swift. He has helped this team through some rough times and has produced at a high level.
Read more: Jaylon Johnson's Week 9 bounce-back game screwed the Bears at the trade deadline
Bears Most Valuable Player: Luther Burden III, WR
Burden has been consistent all season and a key part of this offense, humming all year long. He has 49 receptions for 644 yards and four touchdowns, leading the team in all three.
This could absolutely change in the second half of the season with Williams and Simmons in the picture, but for now, it hasn't. Burden has been the man for the Bears, keeping this offense going through the good times and the bad.
Honorable mention: Caleb Williams, QB
By the time this season is over, Williams is almost guaranteed to be the season's MVP. Because of missing three games to injury, we'll let Burden shine here.
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