10 Bears predictions that could define Caleb Williams and Chicago's 2026 season

After going 11-6, winning the NFC North and beating the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs last season, the Bears enter Year 2 under Ben Johnson with expectations that extend well beyond simply making the postseason. Caleb Williams is coming off a franchise-record 3,942 passing yards, and the expectation in 2026 is that he'll become the first Bears QB to ever throw for 4,000 yards in a season.

There are more questions defensively, particularly after the Gervon Dexter trade and injuries that have affected the secondary. But there's enough talent on this roster to make some aggressive predictions.

Here are our BearsTalk superlatives for the 2026 season.

(Spoiler: some are pretty obvious!)

Offensive MVP: Caleb Williams

Don't overthink this one. If the Bears are going to contend for another NFC North title, and potentially something bigger, Williams will be the primary reason why.

He threw for a Bears-record 3,942 yards last season while leading Chicago to seven victories in games it trailed during the final two minutes, including the postseason. Now he gets a second season in Johnson's offense.

The biggest remaining hurdle is consistency. Williams can still become more accurate and efficient within structure, but the spectacular plays are already there.

Williams has said this summer that Chicago wants to become one of the NFL's most explosive offenses. If that happens, QB1 should be at the center of it.

Defensive MVP: Montez Sweat

The Bears need Sweat to be their most valuable defensive player because they don't have another proven edge rusher of his caliber.

Sweat recorded 10 sacks in 2025 and has led Chicago in sacks in each of his three seasons with the team. Johnson said after reviewing last year's film that he believed Sweat might have played the best football of his career.

With Dexter now in Atlanta, generating consistent pressure becomes an even bigger concern for Dennis Allen's defense. So, the Bears need Sweat to be more than good.

Expect 12+ sacks this year.

Breakout player: Colston Loveland

Can a player who led the Bears in receiving as a rookie technically qualify as a breakout candidate? We're doing it anyway.

Loveland caught 58 passes for 713 yards and six touchdowns in 2025 despite missing his first offseason program while recovering from shoulder surgery. His production exploded down the stretch, when he averaged 65.8 receiving yards over his final 12 games, including the postseason.

This summer, the conversation surrounding Loveland has shifted from promising young tight end to potentially one of the NFL's best players at his position.

Loveland recently said on The Pivot that he wants "to be the best in this position." Year 2 should put him firmly into that conversation.

Most likely first-time Pro Bowler: Darnell Wright

Wright doesn't need much validation after earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2025, but his national profile should continue growing.

The Bears have already shown how highly they value their former first-round pick, signing Wright to a four-year, $116 million extension this summer.

Right tackle isn't a glamorous position. But if Chicago's offense takes the anticipated step forward and the offensive line remains among the league's best units, Wright should receive even more recognition.

Most likely to lead Bears in receiving: Luther Burden III

This was arguably the toughest prediction to make.

Loveland led Chicago with 713 yards last season, while Burden finished with 652 and Rome Odunze had 661. Chicago no longer has DJ Moore, creating additional opportunities for all three young pass catchers.

We'll take Burden as the guy who makes the most of those chances.

He flashed serious big-play ability as a rookie, and his skill set gives Johnson plenty of ways to manufacture opportunities for him. Loveland might lead the Bears in receptions. Burden is the pick for yards.

Most likely to lead Bears in rushing: D'Andre Swift

Kyle Monangai will have a substantial role, but Swift remains the favorite here.

Swift produced career highs with 1,087 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns on 223 carries last season. Monangai and Swift became the NFL's only running-back duo to each surpass 750 rushing yards as Chicago finished third in the league with 2,456 rushing yards.

And don't forget Johnson already predicted that Swift is "primed for a big year."

This one's easy.

Biggest rookie impact: Jordan van den Berg

This would've sounded considerably more aggressive at the beginning of training camp. Not anymore.

Van den Berg's summer helped change the composition of Chicago's defensive tackle room. Ryan Poles specifically pointed to the development of the young players at the position when explaining why the Bears became comfortable trading Dexter.

Van den Berg isn't being asked to replace Dexter's production on his own. Grady Jarrett, Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street remain part of the interior rotation. But the sixth-round rookie has played his way into a legitimate chance to be a breakout star.

Dillon Thieneman will be the popular pick, and that's great. But van den Berg will be the Bears' most impactful rookie by season's end.

Biggest X-factor: Rome Odunze

Odunze might be the hardest Bears player to project.

He opened 2025 by becoming the first Bears player since Walter Payton in 1986 to score a touchdown in each of the season's first four games. But a foot injury ultimately derailed his second season.

Now he's healthy again and operating in an offense that no longer includes Moore.

We've seen stretches of what Odunze can become. The question is whether he can sustain it over 17 games. If he does, Chicago's passing attack suddenly becomes extremely difficult to defend because opponents will have to account for Odunze, Burden and Loveland all at the same time.

Unsung hero: Garrett Bradbury

The Bears' offensive line received plenty of attention last season. They deserved it, too. It was arguably the best unit on the team.

And to remain in the top tier that they ascended to in 2025, Bradbury must step in and be a seamless replacement for Drew Dalman.

Chicago lost Dalman to retirement and replaced him with Bradbury, placing the veteran between Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. The surrounding talent should make his transition easier, but center is also responsible for communication that can affect the entire operation.

If we're barely discussing Bradbury by December, there's a good chance this prediction worked out perfectly.

Most likely to become a fan favorite: Zavion Thomas

This one might already be happening for the third-round wideout.

Thomas finally made his preseason debut against Tennessee and immediately provided one of the summer's most memorable moments: a 97-yard touchdown reception on Chicago's first offensive snap. He finished with five catches for 140 yards and added a 39-yard punt return and 22-yard kickoff return.

The Bears don't need Thomas to become a high-volume receiver immediately. Instead, Johnson will give him a handful of opportunities to flip field position or create an explosive play, and the fans at Soldier Field will figure out the rest.

Boldest prediction: Bears finish with a top-five NFL offense

This is where expectations should be for Johnson's second season.

Williams is entering Year 3. Swift and Monangai give Chicago an established rushing tandem. Odunze, Burden, and Loveland are young enough to keep improving. Thuney and Wright anchor an offensive line that became one of the league's strengths last season.

There are legitimate concerns at left tackle, and injuries can wreck even the best projections. But on paper? There aren't many obvious weaknesses.

Johnson was brought to Chicago to finally build an elite Bears offense. In Year 2, he has the personnel to do it.