The Chicago Bears haven’t made the postseason since 2020 and haven’t won a playoff game since losing the NFC Championship Game back in 201, but after head coach Ben Johnson’s arrival and a strong offseason, that trend could be about to change in 2025.
General manager Ryan Poles and the Bears have done a masterful job of setting quarterback Caleb Williams up for success in his second season.
Whether it was adding young and potentially prolific pass-catchers Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III early in the NFL Draft or fortifying the offensive line in front of Williams during free agency, the former No. 1 overall pick finally has the infrastructure to break out.
While the rest of the division, which sent three teams to the playoffs in 2024, remains among the more competitive in the NFL, Chicago just might have the pieces in place for a playoff return this season.
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Over at Pro Football Focus, Dalton Wasserman put together a list of the biggest takeaway for each team’s offseason, including that the Bears have the pieces in place for Caleb Williams’ life to get easier and for a quick turnaround on the banks of Lake Michigan.
“Caleb Williams suddenly finds himself surrounded by one of the most promising supporting casts in recent Bears history,” Wasserman writes for PFF. “After reinforcing the offensive line in free agency, Chicago shifted its focus to playmakers in the early rounds of the draft, and the results should pay off quickly.
“Second-round pick Colston Loveland brings immediate upside to a tight end unit that ranked 30th in receiving grade last season. In the slot, first-rounder Luther Burden III should be a difference-maker from Day 1. The Bears ranked 29th in slot receiving grade a year ago, but Burden enters the league with an impressive 89.3 slot grade over the past two college seasons. With those additions, Williams has a much stronger foundation to thrive.”
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For as much as the Bears have done to facilitate a much softer landing for Williams in his second season, perhaps setting the stage for it to be a launching pad campaign for the rest of his career playing under Johnson, Chicago also added some major upgrades defensively, as well.
Bringing in veteran edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo and defensive lineman Grady Jarrett bolster not just the veteran leadership but the weapons up front that Dennis Allen needs to wreak havoc on opposing backfields while getting after the quarterback.
The combination of an improved offensive line and supporting cast for Williams, and upgrading a defense that allowed 27th in total defense, may be enough to put the Bears’ recent struggles in the rearview mirror.
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