Overview
- USA Today slotted Chicago No. 3 in its way-too-early 2026 rankings, with NFL.com and Bleacher Report placing the team in the top 10 and crediting the Ben Johnson–Caleb Williams pairing for the surge.
- OverTheCap projects the Bears more than $5 million over the salary cap, and local reporting notes 27 pending free agents, making near-term contract decisions a priority for GM Ryan Poles.
- Safety Kevin Byard earned First-Team All-Pro with an NFL‑best seven interceptions, yet all four safeties are pending free agents and Jaquan Brisker’s return is uncertain, per Bears Wire.
- Injury-hit cornerback play featured a breakout from Pro Bowler Nahshon Wright, who led the NFL in takeaways and is headed to free agency with his future in Chicago unclear.
- NFL outlets project moves rather than report them as done, with FOX Sports predicting a push to re-sign Byard and pursue Trey Hendrickson, Demario Davis and Cam Robinson, while analysis highlights the No. 1‑ranked 2025 rookie class and Ozzy Trapilo’s rehab as key offseason factors.