Chicago Bears brace for tough 2026 schedule under coach Ben Johnson

Head coach Ben Johnson led the Chicago Bears to an NFC North title and a Divisional Round appearance in the 2025 season, highlighted by quarterback Caleb Williams' poise and several fourth‑quarter comebacks. Johnson warned his team that success requires hard work and that “you got to pay a price if you want to have success in this league,” as the Bears prepare for a challenging 2026 schedule that includes seven primetime games.

The Bears will reconvene for training camp in late July and have added a mix of veterans and rookies to surround Williams. Despite the recent success, betting analysts have given the Bears low odds for the NFC North, projecting the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers ahead of Chicago. Analysts point to the Bears’ reliance on takeaways and comeback wins as potentially unsustainable, while noting roster concerns for the rival teams as well. The team hopes the motivation from being undervalued will fuel their performance in the upcoming season.