Despite their success this season, it seems that not everyone is sold on the Chicago Bears. Conversely, you could argue that they have more skeptics than believers.
However, while the public consensus continues to minimize what's happening in Chicago, those in and around the league are reportedly in on the 2025 Bears. NFL Network's Stacey Dales confirmed this during a recent appearance on the Mully & Haugh Show.
Many have credited first-year head coach Ben Johnson's guidance as the X-factor to the Bears' impressively quick turnaround, based on what Dales is hearing. Those same people haven't just bought into what Chicago is doing, but they're also officially on notice.
NFL insider confirms Ben Johnson, Bears have garnered everyone's attention
"They are very, very, very highly regarded around the league right now," Dales said regarding the Bears. "The conversations I'm having, Ben [Johnson] has the league on alert. It's palpable around the NFL."
The crazy part is, Dales acknowledged that quarterback Caleb Williams hasn't even lived up to his lofty potential (yet), yet the Bears are still thriving. His attention to detail and willingness to listen and trust Johnson have enabled him and the team to prevail despite some uneven play:
"The Bears are doing exactly what Ben Johnson is asking them to do, and it starts with Caleb [Williams] offensively." He's handing the ball off, executing the offense. The accuracy, is it there? ... It's not been great, but he's doing what Ben is asking him to do; he's taking the coaching... and is applying it, and the Bears are 8-3."
Folks have labeled the Bears as overachievers, highlighting their negative point differential and other notable advanced metrics that diminish their win-loss record. Yet, that doesn't seem to bother Johnson and Co., who continue to block out the outside noise and look to snap Chicago's five-year playoff drought.
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Even if the Bears haven't beaten the general "fraud" allegations bestowed upon them, they've ostensibly earned the respect of their peers. Dales made it quite clear that rival clubs aren't taking Chicago lightly, with Johnson's presence making their triumphant campaign feel sustainable. The franchise's first NFC North title since 2018 is firmly attainable, which would certainly silence the critics.