Honestly, if you told a Bears fan two years ago that they’d be hosting a Divisional Round playoff game in January 2026 with a rookie of the year candidate at quarterback and the most coveted play-caller in football on the sidelines, they’d have asked what you were drinking. But here we are. The energy around Halas Hall right now is just... different.
The Chicago Bears latest news and rumors aren't about "finding the guy" anymore. They found him. Between Caleb Williams' late-game heroics and Ben Johnson’s aggressive play-calling, the narrative has shifted from "can they win?" to "how far can they go?"
The Ben Johnson Effect and the Divisional Round Matchup
The Bears are coming off a 31-27 thriller against the Packers in the Wild Card round. It was a game that felt like a changing of the guard. Ben Johnson, who the Bears landed last offseason with a massive five-year, $65 million contract, has completely unlocked this offense.
He’s aggressive. Maybe too aggressive for some people’s nerves. He’ll go for it on 4th-and-3 from his own 40 without blinking. But it’s working. The Bears finished the regular season with the No. 3 rushing attack and a top-10 overall offense.
Now, the Los Angeles Rams are coming to Soldier Field this Sunday. The big story here? The weather. It’s going to be freezing. Ben Johnson has already been poking at Matthew Stafford, basically reminding him that a California arm might struggle in the Chicago wind. Stafford poked back, saying he’s played in plenty of cold games, but anyone who has stood on the lakefront in January knows it’s a different beast.
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Roster Moves: The Good, The Bad, and The Brutal
Winning that Wild Card game came at a heavy price.
- T.J. Edwards is out. He fractured his fibula against Green Bay, and he's officially on IR. That is a massive blow to the heart of the defense.
- Ozzy Trapilo is done too. The starting left tackle tore his patellar tendon.
- Braxton Jones is back. In a bit of perfect timing, the Bears activated Jones from IR. He’s expected to slide back into that left tackle spot, which is a huge relief given the Trapilo news.
The team also signed Jalen Reeves-Maybin to the active roster to help fill the void at linebacker. D’Marco Jackson is the guy everyone is watching, though. He’s got the impossible task of replacing Edwards’ production.
Caleb Williams and the Superstar Trajectory
Caleb Williams is doing things no Bears rookie QB has ever done. He had six comeback wins in the fourth quarter during the regular season. Six. He’s got this weird, calm confidence when the pocket collapses that makes you think of Patrick Mahomes or prime Aaron Rodgers (gross, I know).
He’s clearly clicking with Colston Loveland. The rookie tight end, who the Bears took at No. 10 last year, has been a monster. He put up 137 yards against the Packers. When Caleb needs a completion, he’s looking for #10 or leaning on the veteran presence of Keenan Allen.
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The Stadium Drama: Gary, Indiana? Seriously?
While the team is winning on the field, the front office is still playing chess with the state government. Kevin Warren hasn't been shy about looking outside of Arlington Heights.
The latest rumor? Gary, Indiana.
Gary officials actually launched a website this week pitching three different sites, including Buffington Harbor. They’re calling it "Gary’s Greatest Comeback Story." Meanwhile, Arlington Heights is pleading with Illinois lawmakers to pass a "mega projects bill" to help with property tax certainty.
The Bears' lease at Soldier Field goes through 2033, but they’ve already told season ticket holders that their future home won't be in the city of Chicago. It’s a bit of a mess, honestly. Fans just want a dome and some decent tailgating.
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Looking Ahead to 2026 Free Agency and the Draft
Even with a playoff run happening, the rumor mill never stops. The 2026 NFL Draft order for the first 24 picks is already locked in for the teams that missed the postseason. The Raiders have the No. 1 pick and are expected to target a QB like Fernando Mendoza.
For the Bears, the focus is going to be on the defensive line and secondary depth. Austin Booker has been a bright spot, despite some heavy fines for helmet-to-helmet hits, but they need more "dudes" upfront to help Montez Sweat.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the Bears right now, keep an eye on these specific things over the next 48 hours:
- Watch the Practice Squad Elevations: The Bears just elevated TE Nikola Kalinic. This suggests they might be planning some heavy personnel packages to combat the Rams' pass rush.
- Monitor the Weather Report: If the wind gusts stay above 20 mph, expect a heavy dose of the run game and shorter, quicker throws for Caleb.
- Check the Defensive Rotations: With T.J. Edwards out, look for how often they use Jalen Reeves-Maybin versus D’Marco Jackson. The Rams will likely try to exploit the middle of the field early.
The Bears are officially relevant again. It’s a weird feeling for Chicago, but one that looks like it’s going to stick around for a while.