Bears QB Caleb Williams isn’t phased by strength of schedule concerns for Chicago’s upcoming 2026 season
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is aware of the perceived concerns on the team’s 2026 schedule but isn’t phased in the slightest after his comments on the New Heights podcast.
Much as been made about all of the potential concerns on the Chicago Bears’ 2026 schedule when it comes to the strength of schedule, difficult opponents, primetime matchups, etc. all trying to plant seeds of regression for this team.
Quarterback Caleb Williams isn’t having any of it after being asked about his thoughts on the team’s upcoming 2026 slate while talking with Travis and Jason Kelce on the New Heights podcast.
When the full 17-game schedule was released for all 32 teams, it was revealed that the Bears would be facing the toughest strength of schedule in the league based on 2025 win totals, which doesn’t even paint an accurate picture. However, even Warren Sharp’s model based on projected Vegas win totals had the Bears with the sixth-hardest strength of schedule in the league.
It’s not something Williams is concerned about in the slightest going into this season.
Caleb Williams isn’t worried about the Chicago Bears strength of schedule concerns
“So called the hardest schedule, we had the hardest last year so, we’re excited,” Williams said Wednesday. “We don’t back down from no challenge. We want everybody to know that going to the playoffs and things like that are in our future. It’s going to be a consistent thing for us. Obviously, we gotta do the right things to put ourselves in those positions. Starts now and finishes in February. We’re excited about all of the opportunities coming up.”
Part of the team’s daunting schedule is the six games played against NFC North opponents with this division being the only division in football that had all four teams finish above .500 last season. Along with that, Chicago will also have to face off against both Super Bowl opponents from the 2025-26 season in the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.
“I think it’s going to be really fun, honestly,” Williams added. “Being able to bring that type of energy, primetime games to Chicago or wherever we’re going to be, I think that energy is going to be really infectious and we gotta make sure we use it the right way.”
Having that “not going to back down” mentality is the right approach. Again, Chicago won 11 games and the division title despite facing the so called hardest schedule. It means nothing until you get on the field, and the Bears have the confidence rising that they can compete with any team in the league any given week.