The Seattle Seahawks capped the 2025 NFL season with a dominant 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots.
Head coach Mike Macdonald’s defense terrorized second-year quarterback Drake Maye, forcing two interceptions and adding six sacks, including a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.
To no surprise, after a 14-win regular season and a Super Bowl victory, the Seahawks are at the top of the list in Bleacher Report’s way-too-early NFL power rankings heading into the 2026 season.
Where the Bears landed on Bleacher Report's power rankings
Every other team in the NFL will be looking to dethrone the champs, and the Bears will get a chance to do that next season, as the two teams are set to face each other. Bleacher Report released its power rankings for every team heading into next season, placing the Bears at No. 7 overall.
Chicago ranked just ahead of the San Francisco 49ers (No. 8), Philadelphia Eagles (No. 9), and Houston Texans (No. 10) – all of which made the playoffs last season. The Jacksonville Jaguars finished a spot ahead of the Bears (No. 6).
Here is the explanation of the Bears’ spot:
“Ben Johnson proved to be the right hire as Chicago Bears head coach, and his presence helped Caleb Williams begin the trek toward realizing his potential as an elite quarterback. Everything else from the 2025 season was gravy for the team.
Williams' talent was on full display, particularly late in games.
Considering the franchise has essentially been searching for a legitimate franchise quarterback since Sid Luckman retired in 1950—a stretch that is no exaggeration—Williams' development became the driving force behind everything the organization did this past season and is already starting to be rewarded. His creativity and playmaking ability shone brightly.
The Bears are now a real contender after winning the NFC North, and they have the potential to get even better.”
The two best outcomes of the Bears’ 2025 season were Johnson's ability to create a positive culture and give his team a schematic advantage, and Williams’ ascension from Year 1 to Year 2.
Those two attributes are key building blocks for the Bears as they look to build off a strong 2025 season. As Bleacher Report mentioned, the team has the potential get even better. And an argument can be made that the Bears could’ve easily been ranked No. 6 instead of the Jaguars, considering Chicago won a playoff game and Jacksonville didn’t.
Read more: Bears must count themselves lucky they aren't in their NFC North rival's position
But the Bears are a team heading in the right direction and were given proper respect in the latest power rankings.