The Chicago Bears' 2026 season could end up going in two different directions: either they build upon their success from last year or completely disappoint.
Looking at the roster, the talent level is insane in Chicago, with the Bears having all the potential to make a playoff run, but there are gaps that could hold them back. Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame shared why Bears fans should be hopeful and why they should worry about the 2026 season.
Hope: Very few teams have more offensive talent, and even fewer have a better mind leading them than head coach Ben Johnson. Chicago is loaded with quarterback Caleb Williams seeking to become the team’s first 4,000-yard passer, while handing off to D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai and throwing to tight end Colston Loveland, plus receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III.
Mope: The Bears struggled to pressure the opposing quarterback in 2025, with only Montez Sweat notching more than 10 sacks. Despite enough cap room to do so, Chicago didn’t add anybody of note this offseason, relying on returning talent to ascend.
Bears fans are given reasons to hope and mope about 2026 season
The untapped potential of the offense is crazy to think about with a top-three rushing attack back together with Swift and Monangai. Even at receiver, with Odunze and Burden looking like the one-two punch that will last a long time at receiver, and Loveland looks poised to be the next great tight end in the NFL.
Even looking at Williams, the Bears might have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL right now, and he hasn't even hit his prime. The throws that Williams made last year are enough reason to believe that this team could be great again in 2026.
That pass rush, though, has continued to worry the Bears fan base throughout the offseason. Many questioned why general manager Ryan Poles did nothing about the edge rushers, as he is taking a massive risk with the guys he has in place.
Austin Booker looks promising and could end up being a guy, but Dayo Odeyingbo is the one who worries everyone. He's getting nearly $50 million over the next three years, and he only produced one sack in half a season's work.
Read more: Bears' reported signing hints at major problems at one position after OTAs
The Bears should be Super Bowl contenders in 2026 and beyond, but the defense could hold them back from winning it all this year if they can't figure out the pass rush.
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