After several years where the Chicago Bears came off as stuck in the mud, finding very little success and alienating some of their former legendary players, things have started to turn around especially since last season.
In the first year of Ben Johnson leading the franchise as head coach, some former players are coming back around, singing the praises of the team's future and the optimism they have moving forward.
Legendary Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher is one of those former players who has his eyes on what his former team is doing, recently telling ESPN Chicago that he believes in this team going into the 2026 season.
"This Bears team is exciting right now, I'm really excited for this season for them," Urlacher told Waddle and Silvy on ESPN
Chicago. "I think this year will be different because they'll be playing from the front more, I think they figured out how to win games. Another year in Coach Johnson's system for Caleb [Williams], a ton of experience last year on how to win, I think Colston Loveland is going to be a monster, the guy catches everything. Hopefully they don't have to play from behind but they have the ability to comeback, the same guy is playing quarterback, they got better on defense, and they have the belief and ability that if it does happen, they can comeback. I think the fans and they certainly believe they can make those [comeback] games work in their favor."
Johnson has turned around the Bears on the field and around the organization with former players buying in on what the team is doing, and that'll continue as long as the success does as well. There are many pieces in place to help keep sustained success in Chicago, which will also keep some of the legendary names around the team as well.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Brian Urlacher explains why he's optimistic about the Bears' future
