Chicago Bears eye 2026 season with new defense grades and division quarterback rankings

The Chicago Bears finished the 2025 NFL season with an 11‑6 record, captured the NFC North title and earned the franchise’s first playoff win in nearly two decades under first‑year head coach Ben Johnson.

Looking ahead to 2026, analysts released Pro Football Focus grades for the Bears’ projected defensive starters, with scores ranging from the low 50s to the low 90s. The defense led the league in takeaways (33) and interceptions (23) last season but struggled against the pass rush (35 sacks) and run defense (131.4 yards per game). In the same division, quarterback rankings note Kyler Murray’s move to the Minnesota Vikings, underscoring the competitive outlook for the NFC North.