While Super Bowl aspirations might be off the table for 2025, Chicago Bears fans just want to see progress from the team as they enter the Ben Johnson era.
Johnson is tasked with getting quarterback Caleb Williams' development back on track and turning around the worst offense in the NFL in 2024. They have done that by adding three new starters on the offensive line and selecting Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III in the NFL Draft.
How the Bears do in 2025 has many interested in seeing the final product. Bleacher Report writer Brad Gagnon ranked Chicago seventh out of the top eight teams in the NFL as the most interesting teams entering the new year.
"This recipe is similar in that you have a young No. 1 overall pick at quarterback trying to take a big step forward with a new offensive guru of a head coach.
The Caleb Williams-Ben Johnson combination makes the Bears a big draw in a tough NFC North in 2025, especially considering that Chicago has entirely retooled its offensive line and already has young weapons (Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland) as well as tons of defensive talent.
This developing and reshaped team will get a baptism by fire with the Vikings, Lions and Cowboys right out of the gate in September. How it handles that stretch could dictate how relevant the Bears are for the remainder of 2025.
Without skin in the game, you’d have to admit the season would be more enjoyable with a competitive Bears squad making the NFC North a gong show."
Can the Bears turn an interesting season into a playoff birth?
Several key elements within the team make Chicago an interesting team in 2025. Williams and Johnson's new working relationship is the most fascinating part of the team. Whether they can gel together and perform will greatly determine whether the Bears make the postseason or at least show signs of getting there.
The Bears also need to navigate through other offensive questions as they brought in Drew Dalman, Joe Thuney, and Jonah Jackson in the offseason for the offensive line. Will they be enough to eliminate the 68 sacks the team allowed last year?
A lot of eyes will be on the rookies Loveland and Burden as they could be the future for Williams. This was one of the worst passing offenses in the NFL last year, but it wasn't for a lack of talent. Those rookies need to step up early and help their second year quarterback out.
Chicago's defense has questions of its own, including whether Montez Sweat can live up to his nearly $100 million contract and get back in the 10-plus-sack category. The secondary is a strength to this defense. Still, the linebackers, particularly between T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, must have stronger 2025 seasons if the team doesn't want to rebuild that unit in 2026.
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The reason why the Bears are so interesting is many have no clue whether this team is going to be good or not. On paper, they are talented, but are they deep enough on the roster to make a massive playoff push late in the season?