The Chicago Bears enter the new season carrying both renewed optimism and the weight of recent frustrations.
With Ben Johnson arriving from Detroit to take over as head coach, expectations around Chicago feel cautiously elevated. The Bears finished last in the division a year ago, yet they lost seven games by one score and often stumbled out of the gate before rallying late. That inconsistency defined their 5-12 record, but it also hinted at how close they were to competing.
The question now is how they measure up in a division where rivals are already chasing championship-level ambitions.
Examining their strengths alongside those of the Lions, Vikings, and Packers reveals not only where the Bears fit but also where they can push the race forward.
A Coaching Change That Alters the Bears’ Identity
Ben Johnson’s move from Detroit to Chicago reshapes the Bears in both perception and strategy. Johnson directed the league’s highest-scoring offense last year, giving him immediate credibility in a city that has long lacked sustained offensive rhythm.
His decision to leave a 15-2 roster for a rebuilding project underscores both confidence and challenge. Chicago has the talent, but has struggled to convert it into consistent wins.
Johnson inherits a team that dropped several close contests, pointing more to execution lapses than talent shortages. His play-calling history suggests quicker starts and more balanced drives could be the difference.
Early success will hinge on whether his offensive philosophy translates with young personnel and whether his reputation for precision can eliminate the slow, stumbling openings that doomed the Bears throughout 2024.
Caleb Williams and the Push for Offensive Stability
At the center of Johnson’s vision is Caleb Williams, the 2024 first overall pick. His rookie campaign revealed flashes of brilliance mixed with expected turbulence.
Williams showed composure in late drives, but the Bears too often fell behind early, forcing desperation instead of design. The ability to grow under Johnson may unlock a steadier rhythm, something Chicago has lacked for years.
With improved coordination, the Bears could avoid being defined by narrow losses.
Their offense isn’t yet as polished as Detroit’s or as efficient as Green Bay’s, but it has upside. Observers tracking Chicago Bears odds will note how small shifts in execution could significantly alter their trajectory.
For Chicago, turning those six-point defeats into wins would transform them from an afterthought to a spoiler, and perhaps into a contender faster than expected.
Where the Bears Match Up Well in the Division
Despite finishing last, Chicago is not without leverage against divisional opponents. Their defense, while inconsistent, often kept games competitive until late stages.
Against high-powered rivals like Detroit, this ability to disrupt drives matters. More importantly, the Bears’ young roster carries a sense of potential. Their offensive line showed growth down the stretch, and if Johnson sharpens early play sequences, they can limit the defensive pressure that unraveled many of their starts.
Chicago also has a rare advantage in entering 2025 without entrenched expectations. Detroit is expected to win again, Minnesota has a new quarterback under heavy scrutiny, and Green Bay’s young roster is being labeled a rising power.
That pressure can expose flaws. The Bears’ position as an underdog gives them space to develop, learn, and upset schedules already drawn with other favorites in mind.
Detroit’s Depth Makes Them the Benchmark
Any discussion of the NFC North begins with Detroit. The Lions went 15-2 last season, establishing themselves as the division’s most complete team. Even with the loss of Johnson to Chicago and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to New York, coach Dan Campbell insists this is the best roster he has had in five years.
Their depth across the offensive line, their efficient run game, and their resilience in close contests remain unmatched within the division.
While coaching transitions may leave early wrinkles, the Lions’ foundation remains sturdy. For the Bears, this is both a measuring stick and an opportunity. Johnson’s insight into Detroit’s tendencies, built across six seasons there, could provide Chicago with one of the few genuine schematic advantages when these rivals collide. Yet sustaining that edge requires execution against a roster that still outpaces them in overall strength.
Minnesota’s Reboot Hinges on a Young Quarterback
The Vikings’ story centers on J.J. McCarthy, who was sidelined with injury as a rookie and is now stepping into full command.
Minnesota went 14-3 with Sam Darnold filling in, but their long-term hopes rest on McCarthy’s development. The franchise has reinforced the offensive line and carries a defense capable of controlling pace, but untested leadership at quarterback adds volatility.
Chicago faces Minnesota in its home opener, giving McCarthy an immediate trial by fire. For the Bears, this matchup is less about overwhelming talent gaps and more about exploiting inexperience.
A disciplined defense could turn McCarthy’s early adjustments into turnovers or stalled drives. Minnesota remains formidable, yet their pivot to a rookie leader means the Bears can envision competing directly, especially early in the schedule, before McCarthy fully adapts to professional rhythm.
How the Bears Can Change the Narrative
Chicago does not need to win the NFC North this season to alter its standing. What the Bears must prove is that they can consistently compete with teams already viewed as playoff locks. Converting narrow losses into wins, avoiding sluggish starts, and capitalizing on Johnson’s knowledge of Detroit are immediate steps. If Caleb Williams stabilizes, the Bears can accelerate development and surprise opponents expecting a rebuilding year.
The NFC North will remain grueling, but the Bears’ challenge is not hopeless. Instead, it is an opportunity to redefine progress: fewer collapses, more control, and a season that positions them as more than a footnote in rivalries older than most franchises.
Should they deliver, Chicago will no longer be considered a step behind, but a team with its collective eye on rebirth.
*Content reflects information available as of 2025/08/29; subject to change.
