With the last week of the summer break now upon us before the start of training camp, it’s perfect time to take part in a fun offseason exercise using X’s artificial intelligence tool, Grok, to simulate the entire 2026 season for the Chicago Bears.

The simulation produced a 12-5 record, which is a one-game improvement from the 2025-26 season, but it’s not enough to clinch a season consecutive NFC North title. The Bears still have a deep playoff run, but one that ends in another heartbreaking loss. Caleb Williams’ rewrites Chicago’s record books for the second year in a row while other players such as D’Andre Swift, Rome Odunze, and Austin Booker put up career years.

Now, let’s remember, running a full-season simulation through an AI tool is purely hypothetical. However, it removes personal bias from the equation and the results are noticeably different from the game-by-game predictions I had for the Bears after the schedule was released earlier this year. So, let’s break down what Grok came up with.

Chicago Bears falling short of the NFC North title and what that means in terms of team success

Not winning the division makes the 2026-27 season sound like a step back for the Bears, but it’s not the full story. The Bears still go 12-5 against a brutal schedule and even pull off some big wins along the way. The reason the Bears miss out on claiming another division title is because Grok sees the Detroit Lions taking full advantage of NFL’s softest schedule and running away with the top seed in the NFC. If the Lions can bounce-back, this NFC North battle is going to be an intense three-team race.

Grok had the Bears advancing to the NFC’s Divisional Round after beating the No. 4 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road. In the second-round, the Bears had to face the Lions on the road and lost in another close finish. That outcome would leave a sour taste in the mouth of Bears fans and arguably be worse than last year’s playoff loss against the Rams.

Big picture, though, this would still be a really strong season in Ben Johnson’s second year at the helm fueled by some impressive individual performances.

Grok’s projected season stat highlights for individual players

According to the simulation, quarterback Caleb Williams finished with 4,300 pass yards, 33 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and roughly a 65.0 completion percentage. The passing yard mark would set another single-season franchise record for Williams and make him the first 4,000-yard quarterback in team history. Reaching close to 65 percent completion would also be a massive improvement in Year 3. No mention of being in the mix for the MVP race, however.

Running back D’Andre Swift eclipsed 1,200 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns with over 1,600 scrimmage yards. Such a season from Swift would create a strong case for re-signing him after the season, as Swift’s set to enter into a contract year.

As for the pass catchers, wide receiver Rome Odunze led the way with 1,115 yards and nine touchdowns, which would be a massive bounce-back year that reinforces his position on the team. Luther Burden III fills in the void left by DJ Moore’s departure with 930 yards and seven touchdowns of his own. Colston Loveland takes a slight step back production-wise in Year 2 with only 650 yards and six touchdowns.

On defense, the Bears’ top stars rebound and Austin Booker finally breaks out. Grok had Booker and Montez Sweat combining for 20+ sacks while Jaylon Johnson sets a single-season career-high with six interceptions.

What this actually means in terms of setting non-biased expectations

None of this is a prediction, and AI simulations carry zero predictive weight. What this does, however, is set a non-biased expectation for the Bears’ 2026-27 season. My predictions had the Bears winning the NFC North and making it to the NFC Championship Game, for example. On the opposite end, many Bears haters believe the team will seriously relapse and potentially miss the playoffs with a sub 10-win season. This simulation creates a realistic middle ground for what the Bears season could look like.

Grok’s regular season game-by-game break down for the Chicago Bears

Week 1: at Carolina Panthers – Bears 27, Panthers 17
Caleb Williams efficient in his first start of the year; defense forces two turnovers. Solid road opener.

Week 2: vs. Minnesota Vikings – Bears 24, Vikings 20
Tight divisional battle at Soldier Field. Rome Odunze has a big day. Bears improve to 2-0.

Week 3: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (MNF) – Eagles 31, Bears 21
Eagles’ pass rush overwhelms the line early. Caleb turns it over twice. First loss. Storyline: Growing pains vs. elite fronts.

Week 4: vs. New York Jets – Bears 28, Jets 13
Strong bounce-back. D’Andre Swift runs well; defense gets the upper hand against Geno Smith.

Week 5: at Green Bay Packers – Packers 27, Bears 24
Classic rivalry thriller without Micah Parsons. Packers edge it late on a field goal. Bears fall to 3-2.

Week 6: at Atlanta Falcons – Bears 34, Falcons 23
Explosive offensive output. Williams throws for 300+ yards.

Week 7: vs. New England Patriots (TNF) – Bears 31, Patriots 17
Home dominance on primetime with Caleb Williams outdueling Drake Maye. New additions on both sides of the ball shine for the Bears.

Week 8: at Seattle Seahawks (MNF) – Seahawks 24, Bears 20
Tough road loss in primetime against the reigning Super Bowl champions. Close game decided by a late Seattle drive.

Week 9: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (SNF) – Bears 27, Bucs 24
Gritty win. Late field goal seals it.

Week 10: Bye
Time to heal and prep for the stretch.

Week 11: vs. New Orleans Saints – Bears 30, Saints 13
Blowout win. Defense dominates forcing multiple sacks against Tyler Shough.

Week 12: at Detroit Lions (Thanksgiving) – Lions 28, Bears 24
Thanksgiving shootout. Lions get the edge in a high-scoring affair.

Week 13: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – Bears 35, Jaguars 10
Dominant home performance. Offense clicks fully.

Week 14: at Miami Dolphins – Bears 27, Dolphins 21
Road win in warm weather. D’Andre Swift has a big game.

Week 15: at Buffalo Bills – Bills 31, Bears 17
Bills’ offense too much in a tough road spot. Questions start to emerge about the Bears’ ability to contend with top teams.

Week 16: vs. Green Bay Packers (Christmas Day) – Bears 26, Packers 20
Huge bounce-back Christmas win at Soldier Field. Divisional revenge and momentum boost.

Week 17: vs. Detroit Lions – Bears 23, Lions 20
Critical home win. Bears clinch a playoff spot with a late defensive stand.

Week 18: at Minnesota Vikings – Bears 24, Vikings 21
Season finale victory. Bears finish 12-5, likely the No. 5 seed in the NFC.

Grok’s playoff simulation for the Chicago Bears

Wild Card Round: at No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bears 28, Buccaneers 17
Road playoff upset. Williams and the offense click in January thanks to the warm weather; defense forces turnovers for a statement win.

Divisional Round: at No. 1 Detroit Lions – Lions 27, Bears 24
Tough road loss to the top-seeded division rival in a back-and-forth thriller. Bears push the Lions to the brink but come up short. Season ends with slight progress and more optimism for the future.