After capturing their first NFC North title since 2018, the Chicago Bears look to win back-to-back division titles for the first time in 20 years. However, that won’t be an easy task.
With all four NFC North teams making the playoffs at least once over the last two seasons, the division is arguably the most competitive division in the NFL. If the Bears are to repeat as NFC North champions, here are three things that likely will need to happen:
Caleb Williams needs to become the first 4,000-yard single-season passer in Bears history
Last year, Caleb Williams showed exactly why he was drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He threw 3,942 yards, a franchise single-season record, and 27 touchdowns and landed on the cover of Madden NFL 27.
Williams’ health is critical to Chicago’s success, as the rest of the Bears’ quarterback room includes backups Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum. With Chicago trading for former New England center Garrett Bradbury to replace the retired Drew Dalman, the Bears have made protecting Williams their No. 1 priority.
If Williams can develop a prominent passing game this season, the Bears’ offense has a chance to finish in the top five in the league, something it hasn’t accomplished since 2013. Although the departure of DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills hurts, young receiving threats Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III are expected to see more targets this season and improve in their production.
Improve the scoring defense from 2025
The Bears finished with the 23rd-ranked scoring defense, which was in the bottom half of all playoff teams in 2025. As a result, the Bears played 12 regular-season games decided by one possession or less.
Chicago won seven of those games, but five of its six losses also came in one-possession games. Considering the Bears went 11-6 last season, if their defense can prevent games from coming down to one possession, they should be able to win more games this year.
Despite the unusual number of close games the Bears played last season, they led the league with 33 takeaways, 23 of which were interceptions. Key secondary players Kyler Gordan and Coby Bryant will both miss at least the first four games of the season because of injuries, but the rest of Chicago’s defense is relatively healthy. If the Bears limit scoring and maintain the turnover production they generated last season, this defense could finish top 10 in the NFL.
Establish a dominant run game for second consecutive year
The two-headed monster of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai rushed for a combined 1,870 yards and 14 touchdowns, helping lead the Bears to the third-best rushing offense in the NFL.
The Bears also averaged 4.9 yards per carry last season, while Swift eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards. If Williams continues to improve and the Bears’ run game maintains the level of dominance it showed last season, there’s no telling how many games this team can win.
The Bears kick off their season on the road against the Carolina Panthers, who also won their division last season, at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday, Sept. 13, on Fox.
With high expectations and a quiet offseason, the Bears head into the season feeling confident in their roster.
