The NFL world just got flipped on its head on this June 1 after news broke that the Cleveland Browns are finalizing a deal that will send reigning Defensive Player of the Year pass rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angles Rams. How does this impact the Chicago Bears? Let’s break it down.

For starters, the Los Angeles Rams are back in their “F**k them picks” mindset after already acquiring another All-Pro defender this offseason in cornerback Trent McDuffie. Adding Garrett to the equation, and to that roster, makes the Rams immediate Super Bowl favorites. The same team that knocked off the Bears in last year’s playoffs.

Beyond that, the Rams understood that defensively, they weren’t good enough to compete for a championship. They had the quarterback, offensive weaponry, and head coach needed, but not the caliber of defense that Seattle had. Kudos to the Rams, they took the risk and addressed those concerns with meaningful additions, unlike the Bears.

Chicago Bears are wasting valuable years by not adding the final piece to the puzzle

A few days ago, NFL insider Daniel Jeremiah revisited a concept suggesting that for a team to build a championship foundation, you need to fill the following 12 spots:

• One quarterback
• Three offensive playmakers
• Three quality offensive linemen
• Two pass rushers
• Three defensive playmakers

The Rams have certainly accomplished that goal with the additions of McDuffie and Garrett. The Seahawks also hit those 12 spots in route to a Super Bowl of their own last season, as did the Philadelphia Eagles the year before that. So, Jeremiah is onto something here and it’s clear the Bears aren’t.

Let’s go through what the Bears currently have that can check off some of those 12 boxes.

Quarterback – Check

Caleb Williams turned into an unquestioned star in the making last season in his first year working with Ben Johnson. Does he have much to improve upon, absolutely. But, Williams proved last season he’s a quarterback you can win because of and win with.

Three offensive playmakers – Check

Last week, Ben Johnson said he’s buying stock in wide receiver Luther Burden III, who’s primed for a breakout. Colston Loveland is well on his way toward being a top tight end in this league after just one year in the NFL. The third offensive playmaker is a toss up between Rome Odunze and D’Andre Swift depending on how the offense is tailored. Regardless, the Bears have at least three offensive playmaker capable of scaring teams.

Three quality offensive linemen – Hesitant Check

The Bears have the reigning Protector of the Year in Joe Thuney at left guard and a second-team All-Pro selection in Darnell Wright at right tackle. Had Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman not suddenly retired, this would be an immediate check. Since he did, the Bears are hoping Garrett Bradbury or rookie Logan Jones can play up to a similar level.

Three defensive playmakers – Hesitant Check

Full health, this would be a check. Jaylon Johnson has the capabilities of being a lockdown cornerback and Kyler Gordon is one of the top nickel defenders in the league. The question is whether or not the two can actually stay healthy after missing a combined 24 games last season. The third defensive playmaker for this defense will be between three newcomers in Coby Bryant, Devin Bush, and first-round rookie Dillon Thieneman. If one of those three turn into a top playmaker with improved health from Johnson and Gordon, this would also be a check.

Two pass rushers – X

The Bears have one player in Montez Sweat capable of being a difference-maker off the edge but outside of him, there’s no one on this defensive line that scares anyone. Austin Booker has a chance to finally break out in Year 3 and Grady Jarrett is a solid veteran but he is well past his prime. This is the one spot limiting Chicago’s championship window the most and the team continues dragging their feet when it comes to addressing it.

Bears are a pass rusher away from being a championship-caliber team, but will they add one?

It’s been clear all offseason what the Bears are missing that can really put this team over the top and into the Super Bowl conversation and everyone’s aware of it. Even Albert Breer mentioned the Bears as one of the teams that made sense to land Garrett before the Rams sprinted in with an offer of their own.

Chicago also toyed around with the idea of adding Maxx Crosby earlier this offseason before balking at the price. Perhaps the team revisits that idea ahead of the 2026 season once Crosby has more time to heal at a cheaper price?

Another option out there is Josh Sweat, who’s clearly unhappy with the Arizona Cardinals right now. He could give Chicago the final piece to the puzzle.

No matter what happens or doesn’t, the Bears are wasting this window by not addressing one final spot and instead banking on the subpar talent they have elevating their game with “better coaching.”

Meanwhile, other teams are making real moves toward winning titles in 2026 and beyond.