Heading into week one, it’s a good time to look at the first power rankings of the season.
The Chicago Bears have real expectations this season.
Building on year one of Ben Johnson and a strong year two from Caleb Williams, the Bears face pressure for the first time in years. Sustained success has eluded this franchise for a long time.
And now there is actual hype. About Chicago’s offense. And quarterback. And coach.
It’s a new era.
How are the Bears ranked in the first “official” rankings of the 2026
season?
Sure, there have been periodic offseason lists, but now is when it starts to matter.
At least to people who believe in power rankings, which is never you.
That’s right, I see you in the comments. Telling me you don’t read power rankings.
The number in the parentheses is the team’s previous ranking, where available.
NFL.com – Nick Shook
11. Chicago Bears (10) I have questions about the Bears’ young receiving corps, though I am much more concerned about their pieced-together secondary following some terrible injury luck early in camp. I can be convinced this isn’t a massive issue if Chicago limits Bryce Young and Kyler Murray in the first two weeks of the season.
PFT – Mike Florio
Bears (No. 6; 0-0): Forty-one years after the pinnacle of the 46 defense, can they do enough on that side of the ball?
The Athletic – Chad Graff and Josh Kendall
10. Chicago Bears
Last ranking: 12
Mock’s projected win total: 9.5
There are questions on defense about the pass rush and depth on the back end after Coby Bryant’s injury. But Caleb Williams is promising, and Ben Johnson seems like the real deal, so how far can the offense carry this team? If Dennis Allen can manufacture some pressure, this could be a really good team.
CBS Sports – Pete Prisco
15. Chicago Bears (10) Their offense will score a lot of points. But the defensive questions might mandate that. They aren’t good enough on that side of the ball.
USA Today – Nate Davis
5. Chicago Bears (5): “I want to have the highest-scoring offense ever, which happens to be the 2013 Denver Broncos,” HC Ben Johnson told The Athletic last month. That Peyton Manning-led Denver squad scored 37.9 points per game, roughly 50% more than the 2025 Bears, before it managed eight in a humiliating Super Bowl 48 loss. Eye on the ball coach, maybe not the record book?
Yahoo Sports – Frank Schwab
11. Chicago Bears (LW: 11)
Ben Johnson has stated he wants to field the highest scoring offense in NFL history. That mark was set by the 2013 Broncos, who averaged 37.9 points. That would be a massive leap from the 25.9 points per game the Bears scored last season. There’s nothing wrong with lofty goals, and if Caleb Williams makes the leap to being an MVP candidate, Chicago could at least make a run at the highest scoring offense in the NFL this season.
PFF – Bradley Locker
15. Chicago Bears
Odds to make playoffs: 46%
Odds to win Super Bowl: 3%
Ben Johnson’s first season in Chicago couldn’t have gone much better, with the Bears making the NFC divisional and securing their first NFC North title since 2018. Caleb Williams’ upward ascension — paired with Johnson’s play-calling, burgeoning stars in the skill-position group and a strong offensive line — should make the team’s offense dynamic yet again. However, Chicago’s defense is suspect given a lackluster defensive line and impactful injuries in the secondary.
With a lot of variation in these rankings, what do you think? Are the Bears overrated or underrated heading into week one? Which writers are haters and which are glazers?
