Chicago Bears receive dismal outlook on 2026 season from NFL insider for expected reason

Last season, the Chicago Bears defied expectations and doubts from all over the NFL media world. To the shock of many, they went 11-6 and won the NFC North. What is more, they also knocked the Green Bay Packers out of the NFL Playoffs.

Heading into the second season of the Ben Johnson era in Chicago, the Bears no longer can take anyone by surprise. For the first time in a long time, they are the hunted rather than the hunters.

But while the expectations may be high in Chicago, there is one important issue that they failed to address over the course of the off-season, and it could sink them this year.

The Chicago Bears failure to add better pass rushers could doom them

While Chicago’s offense has taken some hits because of injury to multiple wide receivers, there are very few reasons to think that Caleb Williams and his unit will not be better in their second season under Johnson.

However, the defensive side of the ball is riddled with questions.

The Bears lost virtually their entire safety room during the off-season. While they did spend resources to replace them, Coby Bryant is out for up to 10 weeks and there is very little hope that the unit as a whole will be able to replicate how efficient last year’s defense was in generating turnovers.

Credit Chicago’s front office for trying, though, which is more than what can be said about how they approached the pass rush.

In fact, The Athletic believes the Bears’ failure to do so will result in a regression in 2026:

“CoachBen Johnson’s offense averaged 26 points and 370 yards per game. But his defense didn’t leave much margin for error (24.4 points, 362 yards per game), with one of the league’s worst pass rushes. I’m not confident this year’s unit is better.

“Bears fans seem torn after a remarkable 2025. The offense could be even better, but will the defense sink this team?”

The article referenced above has Chicago finishing 9-8, which will see them in third place in the division.

This would, of course, be disappointing. However, it also states that Chicago should be a Wild Card team with that record. That being said, defense wins championships, and the Bears simply have too many questions on that side of the ball.

More Chicago Bears news from ChiCity Sports

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