The season underscored a notable turnaround for a franchise seeking stability at the quarterback position and reassurance about its coaching staff. Johnson’s first year paired with Williams’ continued development to produce late-game wins and a sense that Chicago had found a workable core, even as the team acknowledged areas for improvement.
Early 2026-27 power rankings have reflected the Bears’ rising status. NFL.com analyst Eric Edholm ranks Chicago No. 7 in his initial projections, noting that while it may be early, the foundation appears solid and there are signs of real progress. Edholm also cautions that Chicago may still need to tighten the defense and stabilize the offense as it contends in a loaded NFC North.
Bleacher Report’s group of analysts, led by Sobleski, Knox, Moton and Davenport, also places the Bears at No. 7 in their 2026 power rankings. Sobleski lauds Johnson as the right hire and highlights Williams’ development as the driving force behind Chicago’s ascent, emphasizing how Williams’ late-game performance helped redefine the team’s ceiling.
Both sets of rankings acknowledge that while the foundation is strong, there is still work to do. The writers point to potential contract adjustments or cuts as options to manage cap space, and to the need for additional defensive fortification and offensive stability to sustain a deeper playoff push in a challenging NFC North.
In sum, Chicago’s trajectory under Ben Johnson with Caleb Williams has earned early, favorable attention from national outlets. The 2026-27 outlook is pragmatic: growing expectations, a clearer path to sustained success, and the ongoing challenge of shaping a competitive roster within the league’s cap and talent constraints. The Bears enter the offseason as legitimate contenders, but not without measured caveats about further building and refinement.
