Chicago Bears and Ben Johnson Get Early Dose of Good News

The team had a successful 2025-26 season and is already being praised for the 2026-27 season.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Chicago Bears and head coach Ben Johnson are getting positive early reviews for the upcoming 2026-27 NFL season. After a successful 2025-26 campaign that saw the Bears make the playoffs, several NFL analysts are high on the team's future, with the Bears ranked as a top-7 team in early power rankings. The analysts praise the coaching of Johnson and the development of young quarterback Caleb Williams, believing the Bears are poised to continue their upward trajectory.

Why it matters

The Chicago Bears have long been one of the NFL's struggling franchises, but their turnaround in 2025-26 under first-year head coach Ben Johnson and second-year QB Caleb Williams has changed the narrative. Early praise and high rankings for the 2026-27 season suggest the Bears have established themselves as legitimate contenders in the NFC, a significant shift from their previous status as a laughingstock of the league.

The details

After going 11-6 and making the playoffs in 2025-26, the Bears are being widely projected as a top-7 team in the NFL for the 2026-27 season. NFL analysts have praised the work of head coach Ben Johnson, who they believe has helped unlock the potential of young QB Caleb Williams. While the analysts note the Bears still have some areas to improve, particularly on defense, they believe the foundation is in place for the team to continue its upward trajectory.

  • The Bears went 11-6 and made the playoffs in the 2025-26 season.
  • NFL analysts released their early 2026-27 season power rankings in February 2026.

The players

Ben Johnson

The head coach of the Chicago Bears, who led the team to the playoffs in his first season in 2025-26.

Caleb Williams

The second-year starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears, who had a breakout season in 2025-26 and is seen as a key part of the team's future.

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What they’re saying

“The Bears made football fun again in Chicago. From the team's poor recent history to the 0-2 start, things were pretty dark at one point. That's when the Caleb Williams-Ben Johnson magic kicked in and delivered one thrilling finish after another.”

— Eric Edholm, NFL Analyst (NFL.com)

“Ben Johnson proved to be the right hire as Chicago Bears head coach. His presence helped Caleb Williams begin the trek toward realizing his potential as an elite quarterback.”

— Brent Sobleski, NFL Analyst (Bleacher Report)

What’s next

The Bears will look to build on their successful 2025-26 season and continue their upward trajectory in the 2026-27 campaign. They may need to make some roster moves and contract adjustments to stabilize the team, but the foundation is in place for them to remain a contender in the NFC.

The takeaway

The Chicago Bears' turnaround in 2025-26 under first-year head coach Ben Johnson and second-year QB Caleb Williams has transformed the team from an NFL laughingstock to a legitimate contender, as evidenced by the early praise and high rankings the Bears are receiving for the upcoming 2026-27 season. This shift in perception highlights the impact that strong coaching and quarterback play can have in reviving a struggling franchise.