Chicago Bears’ path to a Super Bowl will have to include 5 specific factors, featuring MVP play from Caleb Williams and a big trade
The Chicago Bears enter into the 2026 season as one of the hottest teams in football looking to make a run at a Super Bowl, or they’ll run straight into the wall and regress. If the Bears want to achieve the former, they’ll need to hit these five factors.
Expectations are sky-high for the Chicago Bears going into the 2026 season and the highest they’ve been for this franchise in years after what this team showed in the first season under head coach Ben Johnson.
Chicago largely overachieved in 2025 winning 11 games and claiming the throne in the NFC North. It’s not what anyone expected and there’s clear signs of regression when looking at the close wins and divisional record the Bears had along the way.
That being said, this team could also take things to the next step going into Year 2 under this new leadership by competing for a Super Bowl title. Here are the five specific factors that could make that dream a reality.
Five factors that can lead the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl
1. Caleb Williams plays at an MVP-caliber level
Everything about this team of course rides on the shoulders of quarterback Caleb Williams. While Johnson’s scheme is QB-friendly in the way he doesn’t ask for a ton out of the position, games are still won and lost because of who’s under center in this league.
Last season, Williams proved that when push comes to shove on the final drive, he can put on the Superman cape and will his team to victory. He also had a few detrimental plays such as the game-losing interceptions against the Green Bay Packers and the final game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Johnson is aiming to raise Williams’ completion percentage and get the ball into the hands of his play-makers at a higher clip. That alone would boost Williams’ stats and put him into the MVP conversation. If he can simply do that, this team already will be on the right path toward repeating as division champs.
2. All five offensive line positions remain intact and play at a consistent level
The real difference-maker of Ben Johnson’s offense is the offensive line. He weaponizes his trenches unlike any play-caller in the NFL and has some top players in left guard Joe Thuney and right tackle Darnell Wright. Both players should be in line for All-Pro worthy seasons this year and Johnson believes right guard Jonah Jackson can play at a Pro Bowl level as well.
The question is whether or not the Bears will have year-long consistency at the other two positions. Braxton Jones seems to be the front-runner for the left tackle job and showed flashes during his first three seasons. Last year, the Bears rotated multiple bodies at the position and it would be ideal if Jones could prove he’s capable of locking down that position.
At center, the Bears are tasked with replacing a Pro Bowler in Drew Dalman. Garrett Bradbury, for the time being, looks like the Week 1 starter and would be the wise option given his veteran experience. However, if the Bears decide to go with Logan Jones, that means the rookie earned the starting role and does offer more long-term potential. Regardless, the Bears can’t fall into the trap of pulling players in and out of the lineup.
3. Pass rush improves, and if not, the Bears make a big swing for Maxx Crosby
Defensively, the biggest question is whether or not the pass rush will improve with the same players set to return. Chicago invested heavily on the back seven hoping that the new additions could allow the pass rush more time to hit home. The coaches have also been more focused on the technique and improving the get-off up-front.
Montez Sweat will need to have another double-digit sack season and be the alpha in the room. Opposite him, the Bears are hoping for a breakout from Austin Booker and getting their money’s worth out of Dayo Odeyingbo.
If none of those come to fruition after the first couple of weeks, general manager Ryan Poles should take the big swing and acquire Maxx Crosby. That move alone could vault Chicago into the Super Bowl conversation, but it would be incredibly costly and a big risk.
4. League-high takeaway production proves not to be a lucky fluke
Another sign of regression for this team from last year’s success is that the Bears led the NFL in takeaways on defense. Most people don’t view that as a consistent feat and believe many of those takeaways were nothing more than a lucky trend.
However, the Bears simply preach taking the ball away on defense. Everywhere defensive backs coach Al Harris has gone, takeaways have followed and at a high rate. It’s not a coincidence and I don’t think it will change, even if the Bears let 18 interceptions walk of the door with the departing players.
Chicago’s back seven honestly got even better, faster, and more versatile than it was last season. The Bears will still find a way to take away the football and be among the top teams in that department as long as Al Harris is on the staff.
5. The duo of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai finds a way to get even better
A strong run game completes the formula for this team to win a championship. Chicago led the NFC in rushing yards last season and had one of the league’s top RB duos with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai each rushing for 750+ yards.
I always think back to that night in Philadelphia when the Bears rushed for 281 yards and dominated one of the top defensive fronts in football. If the Bears can continue to just do that, they won’t have to ask for much out of Caleb Williams.
The other thing with this duo is that they weren’t even at their full potential all season. It took Monangai weeks to earn trust and more opportunities in the backfield while Swift was limited for a good chunk of the season with a groin injury. At full strength with another year under their belt in this offense, this duo should eat.