Soldier Field is going to be freezing. Literally. With a Divisional Round home game against the Los Angeles Rams set for Sunday, January 18, 2026, the biggest story right now isn't just the X's and O's—it's the Chicago weather. The team actually put out a safety advisory because it's going to be that brutal. But honestly, if you're a fan, you probably don't care about the wind chill as much as you care about the fact that the latest Chicago Bears news and rumors have the city feeling like a football powerhouse again.
It’s been a wild ride. Ben Johnson, in his first year as head coach, has somehow flipped the script from "same old Bears" to "NFC North Champions." He’s got Caleb Williams playing like the superstar everyone hoped he’d be. We just saw them pull off a 31-27 comeback win against the Packers in the Wild Card round, and the momentum is terrifying for the rest of the league.
The Caleb Williams Leap and the Jumpman Throw
If you didn't see the 27-yard completion to Rome Odunze on fourth-and-8 last week, you might be the only one. People are calling it the "Jumpman" throw. Williams was flushed left, jumped into the air, and threw a dime back across his body. It was basically Michael Jordan in cleats.
Coach Ben Johnson has been pretty vocal about why this is happening. He keeps talking about Williams' conditioning and how he doesn't need "rah-rah" speeches. He just executes. Interestingly, the Bears are 3-3 this year in games where they trailed by 10+ points in the final five minutes. The rest of the NFL is 3-151 in those same spots. That tells you everything you need to know about the "new" Chicago.
The Rookie Class is Actually Living Up to the Hype
It’s not just Caleb. Colston Loveland, the tight end they grabbed 10th overall in 2025, has been a massive security blanket. He’s been exactly what the offense needed to open up the middle of the field. Then you have Luther Burton III, the rookie out of Missouri, who has been torching secondaries. Seeing Williams connect with Burton for touchdowns feels like watching a connection that’s going to haunt the NFC North for the next decade.
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Latest Chicago Bears News and Rumors: The Offseason Outlook
Even though the team is still alive in the playoffs, the rumor mill never stops. The biggest concern right now is the offensive line. Specifically, the left tackle spot.
Ozzy Trapilo, the rookie who was playing out of his mind, went down with a nasty patellar tendon injury during the Packers game. The word is he’s looking at a 6 to 12-month recovery. That basically means the Bears are back in the market for a blindside protector this spring.
Rumor Alert: Keep an eye on Green Bay’s Rasheed Walker. Some insiders, including Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, think the Bears might try to poach him in free agency with a massive $85 million deal.
The problem? The Bears aren't exactly swimming in cap space like they were a few years ago. They’re projected to be about $4.3 million over the cap to start the league year. Ryan Poles is going to have to get creative—think restructures for guys like Jaylon Johnson, Drew Dalman, and Cole Kmet—just to make the numbers work.
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Defensive Needs are Piling Up
While the offense is flashy, the defense has some holes to plug.
- The Interior D-Line: PFF recently pointed out that every single Bears defensive tackle finished the 2025 season with a grade under 60.0. That’s... not great.
- The Safety Room: Both Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker are headed toward free agency. Byard has been "the glue" for this unit, snagging six interceptions this year. Letting him walk would be a huge risk, even if he is getting older.
- The Edge: Montez Sweat needs a partner. Dayo Odeyingbo was supposed to be that guy, but an Achilles injury in Week 9 ended his season.
Draft Strategy: Who is Kayden McDonald?
If you’re looking at 2026 NFL Draft rumors, one name keeps coming up: Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald. He’s a mountain of a man with a 91.2 run-defense grade. PFF has already labeled him the "perfect" fit for Chicago. Since the Bears are currently slated to pick in the late 20s (depending on how this playoff run ends), McDonald is a realistic target. He’s exactly the kind of "anchor" Dennis Allen’s defensive scheme needs to stop teams from gashing them up the middle.
What’s Actually Happening with the Coaching Staff?
It’s weird to be in a position where other teams are trying to copy the Bears, right? But that’s where we are. Reports are coming out that the Bears' interview process for Ben Johnson was legendary. They put him through "situational football" drills, asking him to manage games in real-time. It worked.
The staffing consistency has been a breath of fresh air. Having Dennis Allen running the defense and Declan Doyle handling the offense has allowed Johnson to focus on being a "CEO" type of head coach. It’s a model that teams like the Ravens and Steelers (who are both looking for new coaches) are reportedly trying to emulate.
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Real Talk on the Rams Matchup
The Rams are coming to town with the league’s top offense. It’s Sean McVay vs. Ben Johnson—two guys who are often compared for their creative play-calling. The Bears defense is going to have to rely heavily on veteran leadership. Grady Jarrett has been called the "glue" of the locker room, and he’s going to need to disrupt Matthew Stafford early if Chicago wants a chance.
Kyler Gordon also needs a bounce-back game. He struggled a bit in the Wild Card round, and against Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua, there’s no room for mistakes.
Immediate Action Items for Bears Fans
If you're following the latest Chicago Bears news and rumors, here is what you actually need to do to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Restructures: Check the wire in February. If you see Jaylon Johnson or Cole Kmet's contracts get "converted to signing bonus," it means Ryan Poles is clearing room for a big free-agency move (possibly that Rasheed Walker deal).
- Monitor the 2026 Draft Order: The Bears currently have eight picks. They own their first three rounds, plus an extra fourth from the Rams. If they trade down from the late first round, they are likely hunting for more "lottery tickets" to fill out the defensive line.
- Track the Injury Report: Specifically Ozzy Trapilo. If his recovery is on the "6-month" side of the scale, the Bears might draft a tackle later. If it's "12 months," expect a first-round offensive lineman or a big-money free agent.
- Scholarship Opportunity: If you know a family affected by pediatric cancer, the Collin Wehr Scholarship ($20,000) is open for applications until January 30. It’s a great way the team gives back.
The window for a Super Bowl isn't just opening; it’s being kicked down. Whether they beat the Rams or not, the foundation in Chicago is finally solid. Just make sure you dress warm for Sunday.