Ever since the 2026 NFL schedule was released, a popular narrative is that the Chicago Bears will be worse than they were in 2025.
The main reason for that is the Bears have the toughest schedule in the NFL, which includes matchups against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, and the NFC North division, twice each. ESPN host Mike Greenberg appeared on a local Chicago radio show to say that the narrative does not sit well with him.
"Ben Johnson I think, is an absolutely magnificent coach," Greenberg said via ESPN Chicago. "I think Caleb Williams is as gifted as any quarterback in the entire NFL, with the exception of no one. And he does the hard stuff better than anybody in the league. And if he could just figure out how to do the easy stuff a little more consistently, which is what I mean by the maturation, I think their offense is going to get better, not worse. The defense they have acquired pieces. They have to get at least a little better. So I think the Bears are a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and this whole candidate for regression thing, um, really rubs me the wrong way. I think it's being said by a lot of people who don't want to see them be good."
Mike Greenberg believes the Bears are Super Bowl contenders
Chicago's offense will only get better as Williams becomes more comfortable in Johnson's system and learns what it takes to be an elite quarterback. The skills are there for Williams with the arm strength and the crazy throws he can make, but it's all about being more consistent and accurate with the football.
The skill players are loaded with Luther Burden and Rome Odunze showing the potential of being great receivers, while tight end Colston Loveland looks to be the number one receiver on this team for a long time. Not to mention the rushing attack between D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai that ranked third in the NFL last year.
Defensively, the Bears have to get better at rushing the quarterback and find other ways to win after losing over 50% of the turnovers they forced last year, with key players departing in free agency. New players like Dillon Thieneman, Coby Bryant, and Devin Bush should help with that.
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If people truly believed in the Bears, then winning 11-12 games in 2026 should not be out of the question for them. Greenberg understands that better than anyone.
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