2026 Chicago Bears: It's Getting Fun Now

We have made it folks. We're through the slow part of the summer and are full steam ahead into the start of the Chicago Bears season. Coming into last season I had no idea what to expect but what started as an uncertain  journey ended up as one of the most enjoyable seasons in recent history. Seriously, seeing the Bears send the Packers home in the playoffs may be the most enjoyable sport memories I have had probably since UNC ended the career of Coach K. So coming into this season the expectations are much different so here are just a few of my keys coming into this season.

*The Ben Johnson Effect

Last season the hottest coaching candidate was Ben Johnson and he chose us. The hottest candidate never chooses us. Either because we've been the Bears, we low ball them, or we get too cute with our choices and choose someone nicknamed The Mad Scientist from the CFL. Yes I am still angry about Marc Trestman hire. But that's in the past and we have a legit psychopath (and that is a compliment) as our leader. We see the aggressiveness, we see the innovation and of course we see the hatred of the Green Bay Packers. Now coming into season two can we keep that up? If anyone can I would think this is the man who for years can lead us to the land of relevancy.

*The Great Regression Debate

Everywhere you listen you will hear how the Bears can't win the way they won last year. And yes that is true. However it seems weird that everyone recognizes that in year one in the new system the Bears pulled games out their ass wouldn't it stand to reason that a second year in the same system would lead them to finish opponents earlier thus eliminating the need for the late game heroics? The offense should remain near the top of the league, and the defense, well here's hoping they can at least trend towards average. Not to mention the whole strength of schedule debate is ridiculous. Last year the schedule turned out favorable towards us, coming into the season however according to ESPN they had the second hardest strength of schedule. Even harder than this season's schedule. 

*The Continued Career Climb of Caleb

I didn't know what to expect with Caleb coming into last season. I knew he took a beating, and had little coaching that you could really trust, word to Shane Waldron. And I will say that the start of last season was concerning, however towards the end of the season you saw he was starting to get it. He has always been safe with the football however holding on to the ball has been a problem. He was the most sacked quarterback in the league his rookie year, in his second year he was one of the least sacked quarterbacks in the league. His completion percentage was low, he has to improve on hitting the easy passes but a lot of passes he just threw the ball away and lived to fight another down. So if he can go from the worst in terms of getting sacked to one of the best what makes you think in year two of the system that he won't make strides towards improvement in that area?

*Defense...Please Be Average

I would have liked for the Bears to pick up a pass rusher opposite of Montez Sweat but they are banking on the development of Auston Booker as well as improved play from Dayo Odeyingbo, who I am told is motivated this season. Losing Coby Bryant for the season hurts but a veteran like Xavier Woods and talented rookie Dillon Thienneman should be at worst average. The corners outside of Jaylon Johnson are  a big what if at this point. Will Kyler Gordon play? How will Malik Muhammed perform in his absence? Which Tyrique Stevenson will we get? I know we won't get the metric fuck ton (an actual unit of measurement, look it up) of turnovers, if we can get just average play from our defense, we should be in incredible shape.

All in all, I see a team that while flawed is heading in the right direction for the first time in a long time. I don't think they win a Super Bowl but I do feel this is a 11 win team season. So the answer to the question that none of you asked me is this, the Bears will go 11-6, return to the playoffs and I think lose in the Divisional round. I would love to be wrong on that last point however and begin looking at hotel rooms in February for a Valentine's Day date with the Lombardi trophy.