This isn’t the first time, but it sure feels more real.
The 2026 Chicago Bears will be a team that showcases a potent offense and a middling (or worse) defense.
If you’re older than 5 years old, you’re probably used to the star players on the Bears being named Mack, Peppers, Tillman, Urlacher, Singletary, Dent, or Butkus.
Sure, there have been some noteworthy offensive talents in the history of the Chicago Bears — the likes of Payton, Forte, Marshall, and Kreutz come to mind. But these were more isolated
talents than cogs in a dominant system.
The 2026 Bears should be at a minimum a top 10 offense in the NFL. The goal should be a top 5 unit. They boast above average to elite units across their offense.
- Offensive Line: Thuney, Wright, and Jackson already make this above average. The return of Trapilo and the fits of Bradbury and Jones could raise the ceiling even higher.
- Wide Receivers: Rome Odunze and Luther Burden have an enormous combined ceiling. The potentials of Jahdae Walker and Zavion Thomas with the savvy presence of Kalif Raymond makes this unit talented and deep.
- Tight Ends: The trio of Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, and Sam Roush is the best in the league. Include Hayden Large and Stephen Carlson, and this is one of the best position groups in the league.
- Running Backs: D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai were a duo that led an elite rushing attack last year. There should be no expectation for this group to slow down.
- Quarterbacks: Caleb Williams is already in the conversation to be a top 10 QB in the league, and has the skills and drive to be even better.
- Play Caller: Ben Johnson is elite. He has been and will remain one of the best offensive minds in the league. He is one of only a few significant difference makers as playcallers in the league.
This offense should shoot for the moon this year, because that is their potential. They should also do that because, well, the defense has a lot more question marks.
- Defensive Line: This unit was underwhelming last year and really only has one serious difference maker in Montez Sweat. Everyone else is either slated to be a rotational piece, doesn’t have enough proven, or is an aging veteran. Add in the fact that Gervon Dexter is on the chopping block and the defensive line could be a major liability this season.
- Linebackers: While there is reason for optimism with the addition of a player like Devin Bush, there are still questions about health within this unit. TJ Edwards, Noah Sewell, and Keyshaun Elliot are all trying to return from injuries this season.
- Cornerbacks: There is sooooo much talent in this cornerback room. But who can you truly trust? Jaylon Johnson is a year removed from looking like a CB1 after an injury riddled season. Tyrique Stevenson is meteoric in both directions. Kyler Gordon may never return from injury. Malik Muhammad is still learning how to play. Terrell Smith hasn’t played a meaningful snap in over a year. This unit has a ton to prove.
- Safeties: This room was overhauled in the offseason — adding talents in Dillon Thieneman and Coby Bryant. With Bryant’s injury, the Bears look exposed on the back end. While Thieneman might eventually be a very good player, he is still very green. Pairing him with Bryant would have been a strong pairing, but the Bears have been searching for Bryant’s replacement, with Xavier Woods looking like the main guy.
It’s possible the Bears offense doesn’t live up to expectations. It’s also possible that the Bears defense exceeds expectations. With that said, it’s hard to imagine a reality where the defense outperforms the offense. This is the likely reality for Ben Johnson teams moving forward, which leads me to my question:
Are you comfortable with the Bears being an offense-first identity?
My answer – absolutely.
I have loved the defenses of Bears history. Watching pass rushers swallow up QBs, punch out the ball, or return an INT for a touchdown has been a consistent joy for Bears’ fans. Unfortunately, this formula hasn’t led to a lot team success. Much of the talent and resources have historically been placed on the defensive side of the ball, leading to frustratingly inconsistent offensive play.
There are exceptions, true. Under Marc Trestman, the Bears were a far superior offensive ball club than defensive, where Mel Tucker led a near bottom of the league unit. The difference between 2026 and 2013? Ben Johnson is not Marc Trestman and Dennis Allen is not Mel Tucker.
Many fans have been pining for a team that dominates offensively, and we finally have the construction for one.
I can remember draft classes headlined by Leonard Floyd and having five out of the first six picks being defensive. Remember the Kyle Fuller, Ego Ferguson, and Will Sutton 1-2-3 punch? Let’s give the Sam Roush pick a little bit of slack — it might just work.
It’s very possible that the Seattle Seahawks have redefined success after their defense dominated its way to the 2025 Super Bowl. However, I think it’s a lot more common to look at sustained successes from the Kansas City Chiefs, Patriots, Rams, Niners, and Eagles over the last decade and see dominant offenses being the key to success. And don’t twist my words — these teams still had strong defensive units, but they were usually headlined by one game-wrecker (Donald, Jones) that complements dominant offenses.
So I am fighting my urge to ask for balance. I am here to trust this new direction. Defense be damned. Let the 2026 Bears run up the score!
