In our Week 9 power rankings, the Chicago Bears landed at No. 2. It is the highest they’ve been ranked in a long time. They only trail the Buffalo Bills, who will play the Bears in late December. That, like their recent two games against the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, will be another great measuring stick for this group.
Following the win over the Seahawks in Week 9, it is expected that Chicago will start to truly get the respect they deserve as a top team in the NFL. They have an elite coach, an elite quarterback, and now an elite interior defensive lineman.
Did beating the champs finally ascend the Bears into a top 5 team going into Week 9? According to us, yes, but where do some other outlets rank Chicago?
USA Today
Link to Article
Current
Ranking: 2
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Author: Nate Davis
Author’s Take: “QB Caleb Williams and newly acquired DT Jeffery Simmons certainly sowed fresh hope in front of a national audience on Monday night that Chicago might get its first NFL title in four decades after Da new-look Bears knocked off the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks. In Seattle. In prime time. Quite a statement win.”
Our Take: There was a lot of emphasis on Caleb Williams and Jeffery Simmons following the big Monday Night Football victory in Seattle, and rightfully so. USA Today is calling it like it is.
The Athletic
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Current Ranking: 4
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Author: Josh Kendall, Chad Graff
Author’s Take: “The addition of Jeffery Simmons paid immediate dividends for the Bears defense. The new defensive tackle, acquired from Tennessee for two first-round picks, had six tackles and a sack on Monday night. Caleb Williams became the first quarterback this season to throw for more than 200 yards against the Seahawks, and the offense put up the most overall yards (363) of anyone this season against Seattle. The Bears are officially contenders.”
Our Take: The Bears have a target on their back now. Last year, they won their division and a playoff game. This year, it’s different. The Bears are catching nobody by surprise. They’ve followed up that good run last year with an even better team this year, and everyone is ready for them. They must be ready for every opponent’s best.
ESPN
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Current Ranking: 5
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Author: Courtney Cronin
Author’s Take: “Three seasons before the Bears sent three draft picks, including two first-rounders, to Tennessee to acquire All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, GM Ryan Poles got aggressive in 2023 to land Sweat. Chicago sent a 2024 second-rounder to Washington in exchange for Sweat, who led both the Commanders (6.5) and Bears (6.0) in sacks in 2023, making him the first player in NFL history to lead two different teams in sacks in the same season. Sweat recorded his first double-digit-sack season and reached similar production in 2025, when he led Chicago with 10 sacks. Coach Ben Johnson called that season the best of Sweat's career.”
Our Take: The theme for this week’s ESPN power ranking is everyone’s best in-season trade ever. That is likely because this will be the last week before the trade deadline in the current NFL season. For the Bears, Courtney Cronin named Montez Sweat to that honor. There probably isn’t as much to choose from as you’d think, and she articulated exactly why he’s been a good player for the Bears.
NFL.com
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Current Ranking: 3
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Author: Nick Shook
Author’s Take: “Those who were familiar with Jeffery Simmons’ game knew he’d make an immediate difference for a Chicago front that needed an elite disruptor. The rest of the football world quickly learned about him in Monday night's 34-17 road win over the defending champion Seahawks. Simmons elevated the Bears' front by multiple levels, pressuring Sam Darnold and eventually attracting double teams that freed Montez Sweat for more one-on-one rushes in what doubled as a preview of the conundrum every team will have to navigate going forward. Chicago isn’t just an offensive machine anymore; this is a team with a defense that just might be able to complement Caleb Williams and Co.”
Our Take: There is obviously a lot of love for Simmons following his acquisition. He is one of the best defensive players in the NFL, and he was a game-changer in Chicago’s big win over the defending champions. With this defense set to support the offense, big things may be ahead.
NBC Sports (PFT)
Link to Article
Current Ranking: 5
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Author: Mike Florio
Author’s Take: “The Bears are NOT who we thought they were — they’re serious contenders to win the whole thing.”
Our Take: Mike Florio, who is usually positive about the Bears, took it to another level with this ranking. Now, like everyone in Chicago has been screaming from the mountaintops all season, the rest of the world is calling the Bears an elite Super Bowl contender.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: NFL power rankings roundup: Where the Bears rank ahead of Week 9
