The Chicago Bears haven’t been to the playoffs since 2020, but there’s renewed optimism heading into 2025. The front office made sweeping changes in the offseason, such as hiring a new coaching staff, upgrading the offensive line, and grabbing four top-62 draft picks.
After years of inconsistency, the Bears are hoping this year’s roster has the depth, talent, and leadership to finally turn the corner.
To make a serious postseason run, the Bears will need more than just solid play from their stars. They'll need breakout performances—guys who level up, exceed expectations, and help flip close games. Here's a closer look at ten players who could make that leap in 2025.
1. Caleb Williams, Quarterback
Williams flashed plenty of potential during his rookie season, but it wasn’t always easy to see with the chaos around him. The former No. 1 overall pick battled pressure, drops, and poor play-calling. That’s different now.
New head coach Ben Johnson has a strong track record with young quarterbacks, and the front office added pass protection and receiving help this offseason. If Williams gets time in the pocket, his natural playmaking ability and arm talent should shine.
For those watching team development or analyzing Chicago Bears odds, the expectation for Williams isn’t just improvement; it’s transformation. He’s the biggest breakout candidate on the roster.
2. Rome Odunze, Wide Receiver
Odunze was taken in the top 10 of the 2024 draft, but his rookie season didn’t go as planned. The offensive scheme lacked identity, and Odunze often looked like a square peg in a round hole. Now with Johnson running the show, Odunze’s usage is expected to shift dramatically.
He thrives on precise timing routes and physical play, perfect for an offense that wants to attack mismatches. With defenses focused on D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen, Odunze could rack up targets in favorable spots. Don’t be surprised if he ends the year as the team’s top possession receiver.
3. Darnell Wright, Offensive Tackle
Wright, the 2023 first-round pick, had a solid sophomore season but didn’t quite break into the league’s upper tier of tackles. That may change in 2025.
He’s now in a wide zone scheme that plays to his strengths, and he’s working with respected offensive line coach Dan Roushar. Wright has the power to dominate in the run game and the footwork to hold his own against elite edge rushers. This season, he could emerge as one of the better tackles in the NFC.
4. Austin Booker, Defensive End
Booker was a fifth-round pick in 2024, but the Bears clearly saw something special. They traded back into the draft to get him. Now, with the team opting not to spend big at edge rusher this offseason, Booker has a clear path to playing time.
He has the length and motor to disrupt plays, and he’s in a scheme that emphasizes speed off the edge.
5. Tyrique Stevenson, Cornerback
After a strong rookie year, Stevenson took a step back in 2024, most notably getting burned on a Hail Mary in Washington that led to a coaching change. But the talent didn’t vanish.
With a new coaching staff comes a clean slate, and Stevenson now has a chance to reassert himself as a starter. He’s a physical, aggressive corner who could thrive in Dennis Allen’s man-heavy system.
6. Gervon Dexter Sr., Defensive Tackle
Dexter came out hot last season with four sacks in five games, but his production slowed in the second half of the year. This season, he enters Year 3 with a bigger role and a clearer vision from the new defensive staff.
Dexter has rare size and explosiveness and will likely see time at both one-tech and three-tech. With a deeper rotation around him and a coordinator known for developing linemen, Dexter has the tools and the opportunity to break out.
7. Ozzy Trapilo, Offensive Tackle
Trapilo might not be a household name yet, but that could change by midseason. The Bears took him early in the draft with the belief that he could develop into a starter. Early reports suggest he’s already pushing for first-team reps.
He was a three-year starter at Boston College and has the balance and technique to handle either tackle spot.
8. Colston Loveland, Tight End
Chicago surprised some analysts by selecting Loveland over other positions of need, but the rookie tight end brings a unique skill set to the offense. He’s tall, athletic, and can stretch the seam, something the Bears have lacked in recent years.
Loveland likely opens the season in a timeshare with Cole Kmet, but don’t be shocked if he ends up leading all tight ends on the team in receptions and touchdowns. Johnson knows how to use tight ends creatively, and Loveland fits that mold perfectly.
9. Josh Blackwell, Cornerback
Every year, a depth player finds a way to earn more meaningful snaps. Blackwell could be that guy in 2025. With Allen’s defense expected to use more dime packages, Blackwell has a chance to see the field often.
He’s smart, versatile, and plays with great energy. These traits make him an ideal fit for sub-packages.
10. Luther Burden III, Wide Receiver
Burden might start the season behind Moore, Allen, and Odunze, but he’s too talented to stay buried on the depth chart for long. The rookie second-round pick has blazing speed and elite separation skills. He’s drawn comparisons to D.J. Moore, and it’s easy to see why.
His ability to create space underneath and after the catch gives Chicago another explosive option. In an offense that values versatility and motion, Burden could quickly move up the pecking order.
A Roster Full of Rising Talent
The Bears don’t need every name on this list to become a star. Even three or four legitimate breakout players could elevate this team from fringe competitor to real playoff contender.
If things click, Chicago’s rebuild could finally bear fruit, and it’ll be these breakout players leading the charge.
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