The Chicago Bears were a fun story during the 2025 NFL season. They got a massive jolt in the arm by hiring Ben Johnson away from the Detroit Lions in what was the most important move of the offseason, and they rode that momentum out to an NFC North title and a playoff victory.
But winning in the NFL isn't just about catching lightning in a bottle and building something that works for a year. It's about creating a sustainable winner and stacking great decisions each and every offseason. Last year, the Bears did that. This year, folks have their doubts about what Chicago did.
While Ryan Poles certainly let go of more veteran talent in free agency than he brought in, this Bears team is still well-equipped for a run at an NFC title in 2026. Their shortcomings on the open market and in the draft, though, are being called out in a major way by ESPN.
Chicago Bears named one of NFL's least-improved teams by ESPN
In a massive piece from ESPN's writing staff, Aaron Schatz took the liberty of nailing down the five teams in the league who were the "least improved' this offseason. Of course, Chicago landed on this list, which fans and the front office certainly don't want to be on.
"The Bears had a poor defense last season and check a lot of boxes that suggest it will get even worse in 2026. Much better on third down than first or second down? Likely to get worse. Led the league in turnovers per drive? Likely to get worse. Lost talent in the offseason including both starting safeties, one of whom (Kevin Byard) was a first-team All-Pro? Likely to get worse.
"The offense should improve in the second season with coach Ben Johnson, even despite the loss of center Drew Dalman and wide receiver DJ Moore. However, it will need to be very strong to overcome the defense and go 12-5 or better."
Yes, the safety room looks a lot different. Losing Byard, Jaquan Brisker and Jonathan Owens, an underrated depth piece, in one offseason is a lot. But the Bears spent big on Coby Bryant, a Super Bowl-winning safety, and drafted Oregon stud Dillon Thieneman in Round 1.
What else could they have done to mitigate the aforementioned losses?
Neville Gallimore is another unheralded signing that makes the Bears' defensive front better, and the ultra-athletic Jordan Van den Burg may be the steal of the draft when all is said and done. I know patience and the ability to look at the big picture are at a premium these days, but come on!
The loss of Dalman was certainly an unexpected gut punch. But Chicago traded for Garrett Bradbury and nabbed Iowa center Logan Jones in Round 2 of the draft to fill that void. Again, Poles and Co. found solutions to problems they couldn't even have predicted.
Finally, the loss of Moore is, as Bears fans know, overstated at this point. It is Luther Burden III season in Chicago, and Johnson wanted Zavion Thomas in the third round for a reason. Believe it or not, the front office had a solution for all of the "losses" Schatz outlined.
Read more: Pair of second-year Bears sure seem poised for breakout 2026 seasons
So, while fans probably don't want to read that their team got worse this offseason, Bears supporters must understand that the team was starting from a good place if it was deemed to have gotten worse. I'd also encourage Chicago fans not to read too much into these perceived shortcomings.
Poles and Johnson have a plan.
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