While it may be too early to start worrying about things like the 2026 season, it is worth noting how the Chicago Bears in the future might have a more difficult time.
To start Week 18, the Seattle Seahawks picked up a 13-3 win over the San Francisco 49ers to clinch the number one seed in the NFC, home-field advantage in the postseason, and win the NFC West. This also did some damage to the Bears' 2026 schedule.
As CHGO's Adam Hoge points out, the Seahawks' win means the Bears will travel to Seattle to play them next year as part of the first-place schedule. The Bears might get a taste of that road game in the postseason, depending on how far Chicago goes in the playoffs.
Bears' life in 2026 got a lot tougher
This season has proven that the Bears are ready for any challenge after head coach Ben Johnson has led the franchise to an 11-5 start and could potentially have their first 12-win season since 2018. They will either be the number two or three seed in the NFC after winning the NFC North.
Success in the NFL means that games will always get tougher with everyone wanting to give their best shot at them. The Bears will feel that wrath the rest of this season and into the 2026 campaign.
Seattle has proven to be one of the best teams in the NFL after sealing a 14-3 regular-season record. Now holding the NFC's top seed, the Seahawks will host the Super Bowl, a place where they are 6-2 this year.
Read more: FOX commentator got brutally honest about what Bears win over Lions would prove
Playing the Seahawks is a future Bears problem, but one to monitor as it could make the road to defending their division title in 2026 much more challenging than expected.