Last season was a stunner for the Chicago Bears after going 11-6, winning the NFC North, and winning a playoff game, as that exceeded everyone's expectations.
The biggest question going into the 2026 season is whether the Bears can replicate their success. Well, FOX Sports commentator Colin Cowherd had this discussion on his show where he gave the Bears at least nine wins on the year with six out of division and three in the NFC North, but said the rest of the schedule is going to be brutal on them.
"Their road games next year are Lions, Green Bay, Minnesota, Buffalo, Seattle. Those are rough."
Colin Cowherd looks at tough Bears schedule for 2026 season
Over the years, the NFL has made it so that good teams get a tough schedule. This pushes NFL teams to continuously ensure their rosters are up to par with the other elite teams in the league.
Chicago has a brutal schedule next season that includes playing the NFC North, plus teams like the Bills, Seahawks, and Eagles. It's not going to be a cake walk for the Bears.
If anything, getting 10 to 11 wins again for the second straight season would actually be a victory for the Bears. For them, it should be all about just finding a way to get into the postseason and making sure they are healthy going into it, because no matter what happens, they are going to have tough competition in the regular season.
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This is a good thing, though, for the Bears to have a tough schedule after all the complaints about them having an easy schedule to kick off the 2025 campaign. If they can prove themselves early on in 2026, Super Bowl aspirations are a real thing for them.