Look, being a Chicago fan usually involves a healthy dose of skepticism mixed with yearly heartbreak. But right now? Things feel weirdly... good. If you haven't been keeping a close eye on the lakefront, the latest update on the Chicago Bears is that they aren't just "spooky" or "improving"—they are a legitimate problem for the rest of the NFC.
Fresh off a gritty 31-27 Wild Card victory over the Green Bay Packers on January 10, 2026, the Bears have officially ended a 15-year playoff win drought. It wasn't pretty. It was a classic, heart-stopping Chicago game that saw Caleb Williams drag the team back from the brink. Now, they’re staring down a Divisional Round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field this Sunday.
The Caleb Williams Factor is Real
Let’s talk about the kid. Caleb Williams didn't just break the Bears' single-season passing record with 3,942 yards; he broke the "Bears Quarterback Curse." Honestly, the stats are one thing—27 touchdowns to just 7 interceptions in the regular season—but the eye test is where he wins.
In that Wild Card game against Green Bay, he threw two picks early. Old Bears teams would have folded. Instead, Williams stayed cool, eventually hitting Rome Odunze on a do-or-die 27-yard pass on fourth-and-8 that basically saved the season. He finished the regular season with six game-winning comebacks. Think about that. For a franchise that has spent decades searching for a guy who doesn't blink in the fourth quarter, they finally found him.
Ben Johnson and the Culture Shift
Hire of the century? Maybe.
Ben Johnson, who took over as head coach on January 21, 2025, has completely overhauled how this offense operates. We’re seeing an Erhardt-Perkins scheme that actually uses the talent on the roster. Gone are the days of predictable screen passes on 3rd and long.
Johnson’s impact isn't just on the clipboard, though. There’s a noticeable nastiness to this team. They finished the regular season 11-6, winning the NFC North for the first time in seven years. The rivalry with Green Bay has also taken a personal turn; Johnson hasn’t been shy about his "hate" for the Packers, which culminated in a very icy, brief handshake with Matt LaFleur after the playoff win. Reports are even swirling that LaFleur, out of spite, is helping Sean McVay and the Rams prepare for Chicago this week.
Petty? Yes. High-stakes? Absolutely.
The Roster: Who’s In and Who’s Out
Football is a war of attrition, and the Bears are feeling it. This week's update on the Chicago Bears injury report is a mixed bag.
- Braxton Jones is back. He was activated from Reserve/Injured on January 13, which is massive for Williams’ blindside protection.
- T.J. Edwards is officially out. Losing him to IR is a gut punch for the linebacker core.
- Grady Jarrett has been the "glue" of the defensive line. At 11 years in the league, he’s playing some of his best ball right now.
- Colston Loveland, the rookie tight end out of Michigan, is basically a cheat code. He and Caleb have a connection that feels like they’ve played together for a decade.
The defense, led by coordinator Dennis Allen, has been opportunistic. They finished the year ranked 1st in takeaways. They might give up yards (29th in total defense), but they take the ball away when it matters most.
The Stadium Saga: Indiana or the Lakefront?
While the team is winning on the field, the front office is playing a high-stakes game of "Where’s My Stadium?"
On January 15, 2026, the Indiana State Senate introduced S.B. 27. This bill would establish a stadium authority specifically to lure the Bears to Northwest Indiana. It’s a wild development. Kevin Warren, the Bears' President, acknowledged the Indiana interest, though many fans think it’s just a massive leverage play to get the Illinois General Assembly to budge on the Arlington Heights or Lakefront tax breaks.
Governor J.B. Pritzker has been firm: no taxpayer-funded "gifts" for the stadium. The Bears want a $4.7 billion vision for the lakefront, but someone has to pay for it. For now, the team is stuck at Soldier Field, but don't be surprised if the "Indiana Bears" talk gets louder if Illinois doesn't offer a deal soon.
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What’s Next for the Monsters of the Midway
The immediate focus is Sunday night, 5:30 p.m. CT on NBC. The Rams are coming to town with the league's top-ranked offense. It’s strength vs. strength.
If you're looking for actionable insights on where this team is headed, watch the trenches. The return of Braxton Jones is the x-factor. If Caleb Williams gets 3 seconds in the pocket, he’s going to find Moore or Odunze. If the defense can continue their streak of second-half adjustments—something they’ve excelled at under Dennis Allen—the Bears could legitimately be playing in the NFC Championship game next week.
Chicago hasn't been this relevant in January for a long time. Enjoy the ride.
Key Takeaways for the Divisional Round
- Protect the Franchise: Watch how Braxton Jones handles the Rams' pass rush in his first game back.
- The Loveland Connection: Look for Caleb Williams to target Colston Loveland early to settle the nerves.
- Takeaway Streak: The Bears need at least two turnovers to beat this Rams offense.
- Stadium Noise: Ignore the Indiana rumors for now; it's all posturing during the playoff run.
The road to the Super Bowl goes through Soldier Field this weekend. Be loud.
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