The Chicago Bears face some pressure in 2026 to replicate the same success as they did last year with more focus being on the development of third-year quarterback Caleb Williams.
Last season was magical to see Williams perform the way he did, from his franchise-record 3,942 yards to his 31 total touchdowns, but the most impressive stat was the seven comeback and game-winning drives he led, an NFL record. Entering 2026, though, he's got some things he will need to work through, as Bleacher Report writer Brad Gagnon points out, Williams's main obstacle this season is "big changes at key support spots."
"Gone are veteran receiver D.J. Moore and Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman as the third-year quarterback faces substantial pressure to improve on an unacceptable sub-60 completion rate from his sophomore campaign."
Caleb Williams might have some supporting cast questions, but not from Bears fans
Losing Dalman is arguably the most impactful loss of the offseason, as he was coming off his first and only Pro Bowl season at center. Moore is a big loss in the sense that he was a great leader on the team, but his production on the field has dipped dramatically over the last two years, so the Bears couldn't justify paying him big money when he was barely getting over 650 yards to end last season
The Bears are actually in really good shape with the supporting cast going into the 2026 season. Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III are ready to take over for Moore at wide receiver, but it's actually tight end Colston Loveland who is the best pass catcher on the team and Williams's top target. Their running game is solid with D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, so they've got the guys back together who were part of a top-five rushing attack in 2025.
Dalman's replacement, short-term, is Garrett Bradbury, and long-term, it is rookie second-round pick Logan Jones. There might be more questions about how Bradbury will do this season, but Bears head coach Ben Johnson put that all to rest with his shoutout to Bradbury at his press conference. The rest of the offensive line, though, is still stellar with All-Pros Darnell Wright (second-team) and Joe Thuney (first-team) back.
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All the pieces are in place for Williams, so while the Bears might have some questions, they are not problems at all, as the solutions are already in place and are good options.
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