Chicago Bears

Year 1 of the Ben Johnson-Caleb Williams partnership produced the Bears' first NFC North title since 2018 along with countless thrilling late-game comebacks. While the clock struck midnight on Chicago's Cinderella season in overtime against the Rams, it was still a pretty great step in the right direction for a team that had the NFL's second-fewest wins from 2021 to 2024.

The glass-half-empty view entering 2026 would center around the regression gods waging war against a squad that finished 8-5 in one-score games and will now have to face a first-place schedule. The glass-half-full view would focus on a rising young roster that doesn't have too many holes to fill – especially on the offensive side of the ball.

Secondary: Cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon will be back, but plenty more work around them needs to be done.

Defensive Line: It's not surprising that a regular Round 1 match for the Bears in early mock drafts has been Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald.