5 bold predictions for the Chicago Bears’ offense, including a Top-3 ranking for Colston Loveland and a league-high rushing offense

The Chicago Bears head into the 2026 regular season with an offense that has nuclear potential. Let’s boldly predict how good this unit could actually be this upcoming season and then come back to our predictions after the season.

Kole Noble Chicago Bears News Writer
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Aug 22, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (84) runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half at Paycor Stadium.
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (84) runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears head into Year 2 under head coach Ben Johnson with an extremely young and talented offense with no limit on what this unit could actually achieve.

The sky is literally the limit for this offense, and the actual ceiling of what this offense can produce this season of course depends on quarterback Caleb Williams and what kind of jump he can take going into his third NFL season.

Even beyond Williams, this offense is built through a strong run game and with a stout offensive line leading the way. Ben Johnson has very high expectations for this unit, so let’s get bold and predict how good the Chicago Bears’ offense could actually be in 2026.

Ben Johnson’s unit averages just over 30.0 points per game during the regular season

Earlier this offseason, Ben Johnson said he wants to have the “highest-scoring offense ever” a title that currently belongs to the 2013 Denver Broncos that averaged 37.9 points per game. It’s an insanely high bar to shoot for. But, when you reach for the stars, you’ll still land high up in the clouds.

I’m not going to say Ben Johnson’s offense will break the scoring record. Instead, I’m taking it a few steps down and saying this unit will average just over 30.0 points per game during the regular season.

Last season, only one team averaged 30+ points per game in the Los Angeles Rams (30.5). The season before, three teams accomplished it including Johnson’s offense with the Detroit Lions that lead the league with 33.2 points per game. I’m not putting it past Johnson and this offensive nucleus in Chicago to accomplish that this year.

Colston Loveland finishes Top-3 among TEs in receiving yards and touchdowns

I’ve been on record all offseason that I believe Colston Loveland will be universally viewed as a Top-3 tight end by the end of his sophomore season. So, let’s officially predict it. I believe Loveland will finish Top-3 among all TEs in receiving yards and touchdowns.

Loveland has been one of the Bears’ most consistent players this summer and built a strong relationship with his QB. He’s also tormented Dennis Allen’s defense and has been a nightmare for linebackers and safeties to defend. Come game time, he’s going to put up some serious numbers provided he stays healthy.

To set the bar, here’s the Top-3 TEs from the 2025 season in yards and touchdowns. Yards: Trey McBride (1,239), Kyle Pitts (928), and Juwan Johnson (889). Touchdowns: Trey McBride (11), Dallas Goedert (11), Jake Ferguson (8), and Colby Parkinson (8).

Chicago Bears lead not only the NFC, but the entire NFL, in rushing yards

Last season, Chicago had one of the top rushing offenses in the NFL and led the NFC with 2,456 rushing yards while finishing behind the Buffalo Bills (2,714) and the Baltimore Ravens (2,662). It’s worth noting that the Bears’ run game didn’t even get ramped up until after the Week 5 bye week, Chicago averaged 102.3 rushing yards per game before the bye compared to 157.5 rushing yards per game after the bye.

If the Bears can start out the season hot on the ground, they can easily lead the league in rushing yards. And the camp we’ve seen from D’Andre Swift this year has been the best he’s looked in his entire career and things are looking up for Kyle Monangai to return soon.

Those two, rushing behind that offensive line, can easily get this done. And that doesn’t even factor in Williams’ mobility and what he can add to the run game.

Caleb Williams throws for 4,200+ yards and earns first Pro Bowl nod

Caleb Williams set the single-season franchise passing record for the Chicago Bears in Year 2 but still failed to eclipse 4,000 passing yards. This is the year and we’re going to shoot even higher this time around and predict Williams goes over 4,200 passing yards.

Only four quarterbacks accomplished such a feat in 2025 (Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, Dak Prescott, and Drake Maye). Two of those quarterbacks were finalist for the MVP award (Stafford ultimately won it).

That is the ceiling for what Williams can achieve this year if he takes that next leap, but I won’t go as far to say Williams will MVP, that’s a little too bold. Instead, I’d like to see Williams earn his first Pro Bowl nod and then aim even higher next year.

Garrett Bradbury starts all 17 regular season games at center

I’ve been in the belief all summer long that Garrett Bradbury will win the starting center job without any doubt against rookie Logan Jones. Bradbury easily did that and while he won’t play to the same level as Drew Dalman, I still believe the veteran will provide a consistent presence in the middle of the offensive line.

Some people are still predicting Jones will eventually push Bradbury out of the starting lineup this season and I frankly don’t see it. So, I predict Bradbury will start all 17 games.

Next year, it’ll be Jones’ time to shine but I fully view this season as a redshirt year for the second-round pick before becoming the team’s long-term starter.

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