4 bold predictions for the Chicago Bears in 2025
With the 2025 NFL season set to kick off in just a few days, the hope and excitement around the Chicago Bears is at an all-time high.
There's good reason for that excitement, too. With new head coach Ben Johnson in town, the Bears actually boast a coaching staff that inspires confidence. It's been a long time since this team could say that.
There's also the expected development of second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, who most Bears fans assume will become the first QB in team history to throw for more than 4,000 yards in a season.
The Chicago Bears' 2025 season will get underway under the lights on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. It's a great opportunity for the Bears to announce their arrival under Johnson.
Here are four bold predictions for the Bears' 2025 season.
Caleb Williams will throw for 4,000 yards
Hell might freeze over the day the Bears have a 4,000-yard passer. So, get your winter coats ready, because that day is coming in 2025.
Williams is armed with an elite play caller and a collection of potentially elite pass catchers in DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, and Colston Loveland.
Let's be honest: if Williams doesn't throw for 4K, the Bears could have a legitimate quarterback problem (commence the Tyson Bagent chants).
Rome Odunze will top 100 catches
Assuming the first bold prediction comes true, the biggest beneficiary at wide receiver will be Odunze, who already has a budding chemistry with Williams.
It feels like the Bears will eventually turn to Odunze and Burden as their top two receivers in a year or two, and Odunze will expedite his transition from WR3 to WR1 this season.
The ninth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft has a chance to end the year with over 100 catches, 1,300 yards, and 10 scores. If Ben Johnson is the real deal, he'll find a way to take advantage of Odunze's elite traits.
Montez Sweat breaks out with 15 sacks
Lost in the conversation about the Chicago Bears' need at edge rusher is the fact that they already have a defensive end who has Pro Bowl talent. Sweat is a double-digit sack guy when healthy, and with Dennis Allen dialing up a more aggressive style of defense in 2025, Sweat will flourish.
Sure, he only had 5.5 sacks in 2024. It was a terrible year for all of the Bears' pass rushers. But there's no doubt that Sweat has the natural ability to wrangle 10 or more sacks every season. Call it a hunch, but I think he has a true breakout campaign this fall.
Grady Jarrett is the team's most important defender
The Bears took some heat for signing Jarrett to a three-year, $43.5 million contract in free agency. He's a little long in the tooth and tore his ACL just two seasons ago. But he'll inject the kind of energy and passion that's been lacking from this defense for years.
Jarrett might not stuff the stat sheet with numbers that generate personal accolades, but his value on this roster and in the locker room will be immeasurable. He'll end the year as the Bears' most important starter on defense.
