The dream of a season for the Chicago Bears carried on another week with their toughest test on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Rams. For many fans, basking in the glory of one of the most impressive
comeback wins in recent memory was enough to get them through the week and into Divisional Round Weekend. In many ways, the stories wrote themselves. After finding themselves down 21-3 heading into the half last Saturday night, the Bears dramatically staged another improbable comeback with a 25-point fourth quarter performance. The headlines grabbed from that game (and the events following it) were enough to give the NFL world plenty of ammo throughout the week.
No matter how last weekend went and who they beat, the need to turn the page was apparent once the team returned to practice. For as exciting as this season has been, the job was far from done in the divisional round with quite possibly their toughest test of the season. Much like every game in the playoffs, both teams faced a win-or-go-home scenario. Unfortunately for the Bears, it was their time to go home, after a late-game comeback wasn’t completed in overtime in a 20-17 loss at Soldier Field. For as incredible as the season has been, the minor details in a very winnable game simply were not there. Their lack of experience showed, and they once again lost the turnover battle.
Regardless of how disappointing the end of the season might feel in the moment, there’s plenty of reason for optimism moving forward. For more on this game and what’s to come, let’s jump into another postseason edition of 10 Bears Takes.
- All Things Considered, I’m Not Sure The Bears Could Have Asked For A Much Better First Half. The Second Half, Though, Was Another Story.
If you’ve been following this team all year, you’re probably used to them going into the half down on the scoreboard. On Sunday evening, the game started with an impressive offensive drive, but ended in a fourth-down interception. A few plays earlier, second-year receiver Rome Odunze dropped a wide-open pass over the middle that would have resulted in the touchdown. Instead, it went for no points and led to an 85-yard touchdown drive from the Rams’ offense.
The old familiar feeling of being down early in the game came back, but the way the Bears responded on both sides of the ball felt different. On the next offensive drive, Chicago went down the field on a 12-play, 80-yard drive capped off by a Caleb Williams’ three-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore in the back of the endzone. Once the Bears got on the scoreboard, the defense tightened up. Over Los Angeles’ next three drives, they totaled just 16 yards on 13 plays. That included three sacks on Stafford and plenty of incompletions.
Although I’m not sure I would classify the Bears’ start as “hot”, they kept themselves in the game heading into the second half, where historically, they’ve been a completely different team. Williams was on his game, completing 13-of-19 passes for 155 yards. Outside of the overthrow on fourth down that led to the interception, it was his pass catchers that were letting him down on the majority of those incompletions.
Simply put, it was clear that the weather was a factor in the first half. The Rams’ offense looked a step or two slower, and Stafford wasn’t nearly as accurate as he’s been during his MVP-caliber season. It felt like the Bears had every opportunity to take control of the game, and simply couldn’t in the second half. Multiple interceptions didn’t help their cause. Neither did their inability to create a single bounce in their favor.
Despite the lackluster second half, Williams showed off his magic again on a “got to have it” fourth down with less than 25 seconds remaining in the game. Although the throw will go down as 11 yards, his ability to drop back (20-plus yards) and create time while waiting for Cole Kmet to get open was another unreal moment in an unreal season for the team’s second-year quarterback. Following an impressive stop to open up overtime, the offense was moving the ball. That was until a miscommunication on a route between Williams and DJ Moore turned into an interception.
In the end, the Bears’ defense, which had been great all game, couldn’t do enough to stop Stafford and the Rams’ No. 1 scoring offense from getting into position for Harrison Mevis’ game-winning 42-yard field goal. Despite all the heroics and hopefully vibes throughout the night, the lack of experience that showed up for most of the night fully caught up to them with the game on the line in overtime. For 31 of the 32 teams in the league, the season will always end in disappointment. Sunday night was no different for the Bears, although lingering feelings of “shoulda, woulda, coulda” will linger well into next week for most fans. In the end, the Bears’ season is over, but it wasn’t without another signature heart-stopper to get them into overtime.
2. Caleb Williams’ Game-Tying Touchdown Pass Will Forever Be Etched In History, But Three Critical Interceptions Will Dominate The Headlines.
If I were grading Williams’ overall game on first watch, I’d say that he played well enough to win. Sure, there were mistakes and throws that he would like to have back, but in the most significant moments, he was once again as fearless as he’s shown all season. Looking at his overall numbers, most will be led to believe that his three-interception performance was a reflection of his night. Even with the additional context, his 54.8% completion percentage will undoubtedly further the narrative that he’s simply not accurate enough.
For those who watched the game, they know about the drops. They know about the (eventual) game-sealing interception where Moore simply gave up on his route. Again, Williams was far from perfect; he was for the better part of the night on Sunday, and he convincingly outplayed the soon-to-be 2025 NFL MVP.
While there’s plenty for the Bears’ second-year quarterback to build on, there’s also plenty to improve. Williams acknowledged as much in his post-game presser, telling the media that his primary focus during the offseason will be football and overall accuracy. In my estimation, his pros far outweigh his cons, and even if fellow draft class-mate Drake Maye is one game away from a Super Bowl bid, there’s so much to like about where the Bears’ own quarterback is heading into Year 3 under head coach Ben Johnson.
Again, in the harshest of realities, the season will always end in disappointment. Yet, in the biggest games (and moments) of Williams’ career, he delivered in a way only Caleb Williams can provide. Most Bears fans will choose to remember Sunday night for the incredible throws and Iceman-like moments, but be prepared, because the narrative following any game with three interceptions is rarely one that favors the quarterback.
3. Following An Emotional Win Last Saturday Night, Ben Johnson’s Actions (And Words) Have Been A Primary Topic Of Conversation.
Here’s the thing about football. Players and coaches don’t have to like the opposition. Johnson has made his feelings clear about the Packers and their head coach from his opening press conference. It’s not like he was a guy who took the job with the Bears and had no prior history within the division. In fact, he cited knowing the division (and how tough it is) as a reason why he took the job in the first place.
Most Bears fans have had no issue embracing the newfound rivalry. After all, as Johnson said on Monday, this is a rivalry, and it needs to bepreciselyy that. With George McCaskey’s blessing, Johnson did not shy away from the words said in the locker room on Saturday night following the franchise’s biggest win in decades. In fact, he made sure to let the entire NFL world know where he stands. “**** the Packers! **** them!”
No two fans will feel the same about everything that goes on with their favorite team, but it’s hard to imagine too many people straying away from the general feel of elation following last weekend. Not only did the Bears “slay the dragon” when it came to the Packers in the regular season to all but lock up the NFC North in Week 16, but they followed an even more dramatic script in the Wild Card Round to end the Packers’ season abruptly.
Johnson’s January comments about him enjoying beating Matt LaFleur twice a year might have sounded playful in the moment, but it became clear very quickly that the two men didn’t know each other. Whether those exact words sparked a rift between the two or whether the hidden reality was that one already existed is not yet known. No matter the origins of their friction, one thing has become abundantly clear: Ben Johnson will NOT shy away from it, and Bears fans should embrace it.
As the week progressed in the sports talk world, reports started to come out that Johnson’s “antics” on Saturday night didn’t just rub Green Bay the wrong way. After all, LaFleur’s roots lie in the Shanahan system in Washington, which has produced multiple top-flight head coaches over the last decade. That’s why it’s a fair assumption to believe that there might be some additional fuel to Sunday’s fire, especially when considering that Sean McVay is one of LaFleur’s best friends. Matt’s brother Mike works as the offensive coordinator in Los Angeles.
That said, fans from all organizations involved should embrace it. Johnson is a self-made offensive lineman who didn’t come from the traditional bloodlines of family members inside NFL circles. Although his creativity and core principles share similarities to the Shanahan tree, the Bears’ first-year head coach is his own man. No matter the words between the two coaches in the NFC North, there was always going to be a natural rivalry that took place, considering the origins of each “tree”. This week, McVay and the younger LaFleur brother won’t need any additional motivation to go out and get the win. Maybe they throw in some wrinkles to try and “prove a point”, but in the end, one team will move on, and the other will go home.
The Bears have long been one of the laughing-stock organizations of the league, and little has gone right for them. Morphing from that to a team that plays the villain is something everyone in Chicago should embrace. After all, Caleb Williams has more than enough haters to populate cities nationwide. This is just another layer into the opportunity for the Chicago Bears to become the league’s next “hated team”. If that happens, fans can rest assured that, at least to some degree, they have reached a sustainable level of success. No matter how it happens or how they get there, being a weekly storyline for something other than a disaster is something we can and should all embrace.
4. With The Season On The Line Against The League’s Top Offense, Dennis Allen And His Defense Deserve A Lot Of Credit For Sunday Night’s Performance.
In the moment, it’s easy to focus on the last player (or unit) to blame in a loss. The memory of Chicago’s defense giving up a 10-play 54-yard drive to put Mevis in prime position to sink the game-winning field goal will sting for a very long time. That said, it seemed like Allen and his group found “something” in the second half of last Saturday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.
On paper, the Bears’ defense against the Rams’ offense was one of the more lopsided matchups of the weekend. Los Angeles entered the playoffs with the highest-scoring offense and most prolific passing attack in 2025. Purely comparing the matchups between the two units, it was fair to assume that Stafford and the Rams would likely have their way against Chicago’s defense most of the night. Yet, outside of their 14-play, 85-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter, it was the Bears’ defense that got the better of that matchup for most of the night.
Despite the Rams coming into Sunday night with one of the league’s most prolific defensive lines, it was Chicago that got to the quarterback four times, while Williams remained sackless against them. The highest-scoring offense in the league was held to just 340 total yards on the night (in almost 75 minutes of football) and 20 points. Frankly, had you told me before the game that the defense would hold to those numbers, I would have fully assumed a Bears’ win.
For the most part, there weren’t wide-open receivers running all over the field. Sure, Stafford had to make some impressive throws, but in total, the defense won the majority of the night. Despite running 77 plays, the Rams’ offense averaged just 4.41 yards per play. They averaged well below their season average in rushing efficiency, and Stafford finished the game with a 47.6% completion rate.
No matter the time of year or the circumstances regarding the game, that’s a result you’ll take from your defense every time these two teams face off.
All in all, it’s been a tough year for the Bears’ defense, and I’m sure that Allen would be willing to admit that as well. Their efficiency numbers in key areas were better than expected (considering everything else), but these last two games have also shown why Allen is as respected a defensive mind as he was when he arrived in Chicago. It was a season of adjustments, and when it came down to the playoffs, the Bears weren’t able to force a single takeaway after leading the league with 33 during the regular season. Instead of relying on those game-changing moments, the defense was adjusted to get pressure on the quarterback and keep defensive backs in better positions to win reps.
There will be plenty of changes to that side of the ball during the offseason. Still, their performance over the last six-plus quarters should give Bears fans plenty of hope that, with better talent and a healthier group, Allen can have his unit playing much closer to the Top 10 than we saw for the majority of 2025.
5. Drops, Drops, And More Drops. Why The Bears Must Figure Out Their Drop Issue, And Why DJ Moore Giving Up On The Final Throw Of The Season Will Be Hard To Get Over.
It’s hard to come out of Sunday’s game and feel like the Bears’ pass-catchers did enough to win the game. As I covered in an early topic, the quarterback play was far from perfect. That said, it’s impossible to overlook the sheer number of catchable passes that hit the ground.
For as impressive as Colston Loveland has been this year, I had him credited for four drops on the night. Although I’m sure not all of those will be “officially” counted, the normally sure-handed rookie tight end left plenty of yards out on the field. The same could be said for last year’s No. 9 overall pick, Rome Odunze. His inability to maintain any consistency over 60 minutes is highly disappointing. It was clear that he’s still not close to 100% with the stress fracture in his foot, but he had a pair of impactful drops. The first came on the opening drive of the game, where he simply tried to body-catch a would-be touchdown. Instead of opening up the game with a touchdown lead, the Bears failed on fourth down and came away with nothing. Odunze did have an impressive catch on the final drive of regulation, but the drops have been far too standard in Year 2 for someone who is supposed to be the team’s No. 1 receiver.
Finally, we get to Moore. The veteran receiver, who has been a co-author in some of the crazier game-winning finishes this year, let his team down in a big way on the final throw of the season. On the surface, it appeared that Williams’ third interception was poorly thrown. Still, upon further review, Moore’s lack of effort throughout the entire route brought me back to something I’ve consistently seen all season long- A lack of effort on routes. If you don’t believe me, go back and review the multiple breakdowns from former NFL players who have unanimously agreed that the back-breaking interception was on the receiver and not the quarterback.
Wide receivers coach Atwan Randle-El is one of the best in the business, and there’s a reason why Johnson brought him over from Detroit. With that in mind, he has his work cut out for him during the offseason in figuring out what went wrong over the second half of the season. The drops started as a one-off but quickly became an epidemic that impacted every pass catcher on the team.
Between the drops, lack of concentration to detail, and poor nuance regarding route running, everyone on the roster shares some of the blame. While it’s easier to excuse it from rookies like Loveland and Luther Burden, the consistent mental errors for Odunze and Moore, regularly giving up on routes, are things that cannot follow them into next season.
6. Starting On Thursday, The Pressure Of A New Stadium In The State Of Indiana Ramped Up, And I’m Not Sure What To Make Of It.
A few weeks ago, news broke that the Bears were “in talks” with the state of Indiana for a potential new stadium across state lines. In the moment, it felt like a negotiation ploy to get the state of Illinois to cave on some of their concessions (or lack thereof). As time has gone on, the governor of Indiana has made it clear they aren’t messing around.
Earlier in the weekend, the state released renderings and general plans of three potential stadium sites in Gary. Although there weren’t any grand renderings of what the stadium would look like inside, the state claims it has three “plug-and-play” locations it could break ground on in the near future.
Before the Bears hosted their first playoff game in seven seasons, pictures leaked with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, owner George McCaskey, and team president Kevin Warren at a random parking lot in Arlington Heights. At the time, that was their only start, but later information emerged that Goodell also visited some of the sites in Gary. The NFL (and the Bears, for that matter) would rather have their new stadium in Illinois. That said, this organization isn’t cash-rich, and its need for assistance is clear.
The details about the sites in Indiana are still emerging, but the general breakdown is that the state would “own” the stadium, and the Bears would be in a “rent-to-own” situation: when they paid off the stadium, they would own it. Although that’s probably not the most ideal situation, it would allow them to get a new stadium, the infrastructure that comes with it, and a revenue share that would drastically help how the franchise is run.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker met with the media on Friday to clarify the state’s stance about the Bears and their new stadium. Ultimately, he doesn’t believe the Bears “owe” the state for renovation costs, but he did say that, for them to abandon Soldier Field, some financials would need to be worked out. Pritzker went on to say that he wants the Bears to stay in the state.
The saga of a new stadium has gone on for what feels like forever, and while there seems to be a solution that can provide an immediate resolution, the fight with the state feels far from over. The other aspect to all of this is that if they decide to abandon their plan for Arlington Heights, they would need to figure out what to do with the land. Currently, there’s an agreed-upon “discount” on the land’s property tax. Still, it’s fair to assume that if they move forward with a location in Indiana, property taxes in Arlington Heights could become a point of contention.
Warren’s goal was always to break ground in 2025, but with the year over, the focus shifts to 2026. In a best-case scenario, maybe the Bears can break ground on something in late Spring or early Summer. For now, the saga continues, even if there are more twists and turns involved than initially anticipated.
7. By All Accounts, It Was A Great Season In Chicago. That Said, The Front Office Cannot Rest On It’s Laurels. An Aggressive Offseason Is Needed To Take The Next Step.
One of the most important takeaways I’ve come to over the last few weeks is that while the Bears are close, they have to avoid falling into an offseason full of complacency. With the offseason officially kicking off, I’ll have plenty of deeper dives into potential approaches, cap management, and more, but make no mistake about it: The Bears will have enough resources to have another impactful offseason.
Teams like the Bears don’t have to go too far back in the past to find examples of “surprise teams” who laid an egg the following season. The Washington Commanders are a prime example of that, and Chicago needs to do everything in its power to avoid the same fate in 2026.
Now, don’t get me wrong. General manager Ryan Poles has his work cut out for him, especially when it comes to creating “hidden” cap space. There will be some tough decisions ahead, especially in the cut department. Plainly stated, their time for keeping bloated contracts has passed. That means there will be some recognizable names either cut or traded. So, just be prepared.
That said, the Bears made it clear on quite a few occasions that, while their journey from worst-to-first was impressive, this roster still has plenty of flaws. While many will highlight their “luck” in close games (8-5, including the playoffs), the key to avoiding those late-game situations is to improve their roster. Sure, their schedule (on paper) projects to be harder next season, but as we’ve seen with the parity of this league, that’s not worth harping on until they get into the season.
The precise needs of this team lie primarily on the defensive side of the ball. Improving the defensive line, making changes at linebacker, and figuring out how to handle safety should be at the top of their priority list. It was mentioned during Sunday night’s broadcast, and it’s worth noting (again) that Allen knew coming into 2025 that not many resources would be spent on the defensive side of the ball.
It’s worth bearing in mind that because the Bears have an offensive-minded head coach, there’s a strong chance that he’ll get a few of “his guys” over the next few months, but the primary focus needs to be on the defensive side of the ball. Although I’m not exactly sure what that should (or could) look like in the moment, the front office will need to take some inspiration from how they completely re-made the offensive line in the matter of a few weeks. That same philosophy needs to be applied to the defensive line, even if there are a few “dead weight” contracts they cannot shed until 2026.
No matter how good this season was for the organization and its fans, the last thing the Bears can afford is complacency. Considering Johnson’s experience with a winning organization, I believe he won’t allow the front office to take their foot off the gas. For now, we get to wait and guess what things will look like, but March and April will be here soon enough.
8. This Year’s Coaching Cycle Is Ramping Up. LaFleur Stays In Green Bay, John Harbaugh Signs On The Dotted Line, And There Are Still Eight Openings To Fill.
The lead-up to Black Monday is always interesting to follow, even when the Bears aren’t in the mix. This year has been no different, but with an NFL-record nine openings and multiple surprises along the way, we’re still a long way away from seeing all the pieces to the puzzle fall into place. Here’s a look at all nine spots, with two already filled heading into the third week of interviews.
- New York Giants: Officially Hire John Harbaugh
Following a disappointing season in Baltimore, where they were a field goal away from another postseason appearance, Harbaugh’s 18-year tenure with the Ravens was abruptly ended when he was fired. Sometimes changes are needed, and for whatever reason, ownership believed that a fresh voice in the building was required. That immediately opened up the top candidate for many teams, including the Giants. Harbaugh took last weekend to get his thoughts together, and the Giants struck quickly, bringing him into the building and ultimately locking him in. Make no mistake, this is a massive move for the New York Football Giants, and early reports show that Harbaugh’s influence will cause needed organizational changes from the top down.
- Atlanta Falcons: Hire Kevin Stefanski
Heading into Championship Round week, it appears that the Falcons are on the cusp of landing the other “big fish” in the cycle with Kevin Stefanski. That became “official” on Saturday night. I’m still not sure that Stefanski is as good a head coach as some make him out to be, but there’s no denying that he should be a stabilizing force for a franchise that has not found success since the days of Matt Ryan. The bones of the roster are in good shape, but once again, Stefanski must solve the quarterback dilemma. We’ll see if Michael Penix gets a shot in Year 3 to prove that he can be the guy.
- Miami Dolphins
Changes are aplenty for the Dolphins. After moving quickly to lock down their new general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, they appeared primed to hire a head coach within the coming days. All reports so far have leaned heavily toward the Packers’ defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley. Barring a surprise or a different preference, it appears Miami will have a progressive, defensive-minded head coach with plenty of experience during his stint at Boston College.
- Tennessee Titans
Despite having the No. 1 overall pick from last April’s draft, it’s become clear that the Titans aren’t the most attractive job on the market. Their interest in Harbaugh was genuine, but he never got a chance to meet in person with the Tennessee brass. Their search has been a big one and has leaned heavily into previous head coaching experience. It was announced on Sunday that three finalists will be in person: Robert Saleh, Jeff Hafley, and Matt Nagy. By all accounts, Nagy appears to be the favorite, but as we’ve seen, in-person interviews can change a lot.
- Pittsburgh Steelers
Following the abrupt resignation of long-time head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers have shown little appetite for a full-on rebuild. That makes this job less attractive. So far, they’ve cast a wide net, and no favorite has been identified. This feels like a great landing spot for either Brian Flores or Jesse Minter. Klint Kubiak has also been rumored as a top target, but we’ll see how that plays out. I’d still lean toward them going for a defensive-minded candidate.
- Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens, like the Steelers, are another team that could go in a variety of different directions. There’s been some smoke around Minter’s name, but with no clear-cut favorite and 15 candidates interviewed (or scheduled) so far, there are plenty of ways the final decision could go. Fans can expect a clearer list with most candidates available for hire and in-person interviews now.
- Arizona Cardinals
It’s hard not to feel like the Cardinals fired Jonathan Gannon without a concrete plan in place. Right now, it seems like Broncos’ defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is the “favorite”, but with 14 candidates, it’s hard to be too confident in any one name. The talent on the roster is there, but with questions at quarterback and a general manager already in place, it’s easy to see why this might not be as appealing as other destinations.
- Las Vegas Raiders
On paper, the Raiders’ job should catch plenty of eyes. They are coming off a tough year, and probably need to commit to a rebuild, but with the No. 1 overall pick in hand, going with the best offensive mind makes the most sense. So far, they’ve interviewed 16 names, with exactly half of those being offensive-minded. If it were me, I’d be in hot pursuit of Mike McDaniel.
- Cleveland Browns
It felt like a change needed to be made in Cleveland, but I’m still having a hard time understanding how general manager Andrew Berry survived the purge. On paper, they’ve got some good young talent, but their quarterback situation is a mess, and there’s no clear way out of that issue. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has been the most likely choice, but McDaniel makes plenty of sense, too. Of all the openings, this feels like the least predictable of the bunch. That said, they’ll host at least four candidates for in-person interviews, including 30-year-old Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive coordinator Grant Udinski.
A few names that are staying put:
- Matt LaFleur
On Saturday night, it was announced that the Packers and LaFleur had come to a long-term, multi-year extension to keep him in Green Bay. There were questions about LaFleur’s job status, primarily because of the contract’s value. Following their loss to the Bears, the seventh-year head coach was set to enter 2026 on the final year of his contract. Once Harbaugh was hired, it seemed like a no-brainer for the Packers and new team president Ed Policy to bite the bullet and show a further commitment to a head coach who has done nothing but win in the regular season since taking over in 2019.
- Marcus Freeman
For a second-straight season, NFL teams have shown a strong interest in the Notre Dame head man. Early in the week, Freeman once again shut down rumors and said he’s here to stay in South Bend. In such a shallow pool of candidates, he would have been a top candidate for most teams, but his unwillingness to break away from college for a second-straight season is noteworthy.
9. Thoughts On The Other Three Games On Divisional Round Weekend.
Going into the playoffs, it felt like all teams involved had a relatively fair shot at running the table and winning the Super Bowl. As is customary with every postseason, the field goes from 14 to eight, and then from eight to four, and finally from four to two for the final game of the season. The Wild Card round was filled with barn-burner games that all came down to the final two minutes of the game. The final two matchups weren’t great, but the Divisional Round picked up where the previous week left off.
We start in Denver, where the Broncos and Bills went toe-to-toe for close to 70 minutes of football. Although Denver came out on top by a 33-30 score in overtime, their most significant blow came about 40 minutes after the game ended when head coach Sean Payton announced that quarterback Bo Nix’s season was over with a broken ankle. Despite a hard-fought win and a coming-of-age performance for Nix, it’s hard to look at their quarterback situation and feel great about it moving into next weekend. For the Bills, this felt like their best chance to win a Super Bowl finally. No Patrick Mahomes. No Lamar Jackson. Yet, Josh Allen turned the ball over four times and ran his record to 0-7 in overtime. Buffalo has shown underlying roster issues all season, and yet their season ends on a 3-point overtime loss. There are plenty of questions to be answered in Buffalo in the coming weeks and months, maybe even head coach Sean McDermott’s job security. After all, his defense continues to crumble in the postseason.
The late game on Saturday night looked like a good one on paper between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. Any time a team plays in Seattle, it’s going to be a tough one. From the opening whistle, things trended in the exact wrong direction for the 49ers. Despite an awe-inspiring 12-win season and a Wild Card Round win on the road, the bill came due on Saturday night in a very hard-to-watch way. San Francisco went into the half down 24-3, but it didn’t get any better over the final 30 minutes. Injuries have continued to pile up, and ultimately, they were beaten by the better, healthier team. For the Seahawks, their incredible run this season will continue for at least another week. Head coach Mike Macdonald has done an excellent job building the defense. They are a dominant unit that flies around the field. Offensively, they’ve done well, and even with Sam Darnold’s oblique injury, they were able to control the clock and put points on the board. Of any team remaining in the playoffs, I would argue that the Seahawks have the clearest road to a Super Bowl.
Finally, we had a Sunday afternoon affair in New England. The weather was cold, and snow was falling. Following the news of Nix’s broken ankle, Sunday’s opener felt like a situation where the winner would ultimately represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Despite a 0-3 start, the Texans have been one of the better teams over the last three-plus months of the season, headlined by an elite defense. The Patriots, who have been arguably the league’s most pleasant surprise, came in with the more well-rounded team and an MVP-level quarterback. In the end, Houston was unable to overcome another dreadful performance from C.J. Stroud, en route to a rough way to end their season. For the Patriots, they find themselves one game away from the Super Bowl in Year 1 of Mike Vrabel and Year 2 of Drake Maye.
10. The End Of The Season Might Have Come On Sunday, But What A Season It Was.
All good things must come to an end, and the Bears’ 2025 campaign was no different. For all but one team, the season ends in disappointment. In reality, it’s hard to call anything about this season a disappointment in Chicago. Hardly anyone gave them a chance to make the playoffs, much less win the division and host two playoff games at Soldier Field.
In total, the Bears won 12 games this year. For reference, that’s just three wins less than they had combined from 2022 through 2024. While many fans were given a boost of hope when Johnson was hired 364 days ago, not many could have expected such a swift and dramatic turnaround in just one season. At the same time, it would be fair to have some reservations heading into 2026, especially given that 2018 and 2019 are still relatively fresh in many people’s minds. That said, the Bears have a considerably better quarterback and a proven offensive mind who should be able to take this offense to the next level starting in September.
Not only did Williams take a sizeable leap in Year 2, but the offense around him was vastly improved. Just one year after ranking in the Bottom 10 in most statistical categories, they flipped the script and ranked Top 10 in most of those same categories. For the first time since the Trestman era, this team has star power. Not only do they have one of the better offensive lines in the game, but they have budding stars in Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III. There are many reasons to believe it has another level or two to reach, and its quarterback should be in the conversation for MVP honors in 2026.
On paper, their opponents don’t look easy for the upcoming season, but as we’ve learned many times before, attempting to project their strength of schedule based on the previous season’s records is always a fool’s errand.
On the surface, the Bears don’t have many resources when it comes to free agent spending, but make no mistake, there’s plenty of “hidden” money if general manager Ryan Poles plays his cards right. The defense needs plenty of work, but we’ve seen many teams in recent history focus on one unit and drastically improve it in just one offseason.
The window is now open for the Bears. There’s no way around that. With three more years of “cheap” control at the quarterback position (with the fifth-year option), the time to win is now. Call it a gut feeling, but I’m expecting another aggressive, busy offseason. Even if their playoff run ended just two games in, the future is bright, and the reasons for hope run much longer than those of doubt.
Buckle up, Bears fans. If all goes right, this team is just getting started. The postseason should become an expectation, and with any luck, they’ll be genuine Super Bowl contenders when the season begins in September.
