We’ve previously discussed why it’s not out of the question for the Chicago Bears to win the NFC North.
CBS Sports echoed that sentiment in a recent piece outlining how each team in the division could come out on top. While they built cases for all four teams, the argument for the Bears aligns closely with what we’ve already laid out.
"Caleb Williams has a legitimate foundation on which to grow. The No. 1 pick of the 2024 draft was like a hamster on a wheel for much of his debut season, spinning and sprinting to make something meaningful of Chicago's chaos... And in a tight division where everyone might wear on each other, it's possible that just getting above .500 could be enough for the Bears to sneak all the way to the top."
Can the Bears pull off the NFL's biggest surprise and win the NFC North in 2025?
The reality is, this is a quarterback-driven league, and the Bears will go as far as Williams takes them. But supporting cast matters. While Patrick Mahomes is a generational talent, he also landed with a team that was regularly in the playoffs with Alex Smith, thanks to Andy Reid, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill.
In that context, it’s important to recognize just how different the situation is for Williams entering 2025. He could have four new starters on the offensive line, and the Bears added two top-tier skill players in the draft. Most notably, Ben Johnson takes over as head coach, a major upgrade from the previous staff.
This is the kind of infrastructure that allows a No. 1 overall pick to break out and lead a playoff run. Still, despite outlining a path to success, CBS Sports projects the Bears to finish 7–10 and land in fourth place in the division.
Read more: PFF says the quiet part out loud about Bears' average defensive line
If that prediction comes true, the big question becomes: who’s to blame? Would it be Williams failing to meet expectations, Johnson needing more time to adjust to head coaching duties, or a supporting cast that looks better on paper than on the field?