The Chicago Bears took the league by storm in 2025, marching their way to a playoff win for the first time in years. The team transformed into a true threat under head coach Ben Johnson.
Their newfound status may make them feel like one of the younger teams in the NFL. Led by Caleb Williams, the Bears are the new kids on the block in the NFC title race. But the roster is more veteran-heavy than it initially looks.
In fact, the Bears have one of the oldest rosters in the league, especially on defense. A few key players are moving toward the end of their careers, making a championship push more urgent than it may seem.
Bears' average roster age exposes tight Super Bowl window
Per NFL Analyst Ian Hartitz, the Bears have the tenth-oldest roster in the NFL, with an average age of 26.25. Their defense is the sixth-oldest, with an average age of 26.29. Even the offense, seemingly led by a group of first-contract players, is in the older half of the league.
It makes sense that Chicago's defense is significantly older than its offense. The team has spent most of its early draft picks on offensive players in recent years, filling out the defense largely through trades and veteran signings.
Players like Grady Jarrett (age 33), Montez Sweat (29), and T.J. Edwards (29) are among the oldest players on the Bears' defense. While the team does have some younger starters, like Dillon Thieneman (21) and Tyrique Stevenson (25), most of the unit is made up of second-contract players.
That makes this championship window smaller than it may seem. Of course, the Williams and Johnson duo should be the backbone of the team for the next decade. The young core of pass catchers isn't going anywhere. But Chicago is on the verge of needing a complete overhaul on defense.
A couple of years down the road, many of the players holding down significant roles for the Bears will be gone. Ideally, general manager Ryan Poles will be able to fill in the gaps through the draft. But that's no guarantee.
Read more: Bears just made a stunning (and difficult) decision on 2025 draft pick
Nobody's calling the 2026 season a Super Bowl-or-bust season for the Bears. While the team should be competitive, that goal is likely too lofty. But if they take a significant step back, it may be longer than fans would hope before they're ready to be competitive again.
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