The energy in Chicago right now is basically electric. If you walked through the South Loop or grabbed a beef at Al’s this week, you felt it. The Bears aren't just playing football anymore; they are exorcising decades of demons. Honestly, nobody expected the 2025-2026 season to look like this. We were supposed to be "growing." We were supposed to be "building chemistry." Instead, we’re watching the most improbable, heart-stopping stretch of football in franchise history.
Seven fourth-quarter comebacks. Seven.
That’s the core of the updated Chicago Bears news that has the entire NFL staring at 1920 Football Drive in disbelief. This isn't the "three yards and a cloud of dust" Bears of your grandfather's era. It’s a high-flying, cardiac-arrest-inducing circus led by a kid who looks like he was born to play under the bright lights of Soldier Field.
The Jumpman Throw and the Rams Collision Course
Last Saturday night against the Packers was... well, it was vintage Bears-Packers, but with a twist. Trailing 27-16 with five minutes left, things looked bleak. Like, "turn off the TV and go to bed" bleak. Then Caleb Williams happened.
That fourth-and-8 play is already being called the "Jumpman Throw" by fans on social media. Williams got flushed left, left his feet, and somehow floated a 27-yard dime to Rome Odunze. If you haven't seen the still photo of him mid-air, go find it. It’s basically the Nike logo. That play didn't just save the drive; it saved the season. It led to the 31-27 win and set up this Sunday's Divisional Round showdown against the Los Angeles Rams.
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Ben Johnson, the mastermind behind this offense, seems to have unlocked something in Caleb that we haven't seen in a Chicago QB since... ever? Maybe ever. Johnson recently admitted he’s been showing the team tape of Tom Brady’s 28-3 comeback. He even had Joe Thuney and Grady Jarrett talk to the locker room about it. It’s working. The kid is calm. He’s throwing for 184 yards in a single fourth quarter—the most in the playoffs since Brady himself.
The Roster Shuffle: Who’s In and Who’s Out?
Success comes with a price, though. The Wild Card win was a physical bloodbath. T.J. Edwards is out. Broken fibula. That hurts. He’s been the heartbeat of the defense, and losing him right before facing Sean McVay’s offense is a massive blow. D’Marco Jackson is the "next man up," and while he’s played well in spurts, he isn't T.J. Edwards.
There is some good news on the offensive line, thankfully. Braxton Jones is back. He’s been activated from IR just in time because starting left tackle Ozzy Trapilo tore his patellar tendon. It’s a revolving door at tackle right now, which is terrifying when you think about the pass rushers the Rams are bringing to town.
Here is how the depth chart is shaking out for Sunday:
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- Linebacker: Jalen Reeves-Maybin was signed to the active roster to provide depth. Nephi Sewell (Noah’s older brother) is now on the practice squad.
- Secondary: Kyler Gordon is back and healthy. He’s the guy who deflected Jordan Love’s final prayer last week, so having him at 100% is huge.
- Tight End: Colston Loveland is a superstar. Period. Eight catches for 137 yards in his playoff debut? That’s 10th-overall-pick behavior.
The Stadium Drama: Is Northwest Indiana Actually Real?
While the team is focused on the Rams, Kevin Warren is focused on concrete and tax breaks. The latest updated Chicago Bears news on the stadium front is getting a bit spicy. Warren recently sent out an open letter that basically said, "Hey, Illinois, we’re looking elsewhere."
It sounds like a leverage play, but is it?
Governor JB Pritzker has been pretty firm about not using taxpayer money for the stadium itself. He’s open to infrastructure help—roads, sewers, the boring stuff—but the Bears want "property tax certainty." In plain English: they don't want to get hit with a $200 million annual tax bill in Arlington Heights.
The interesting wrinkle? Roger Goodell was spotted at the Arlington Park property last weekend with George McCaskey and Kevin Warren. A local dad actually caught them on camera. Seeing the Commissioner on-site usually means things are getting serious. But Warren mentioned Northwest Indiana in his letter. Can you imagine the Indiana Bears? The fan revolt would be legendary.
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Why the Defense is Suddenly "The Glue"
We talk a lot about Caleb and the receivers, but Grady Jarrett has been a godsend. The 11th-year vet was signed in March, and he’s been the literal anchor of the interior. Dennis Allen, our defensive coordinator, keeps calling him "the glue."
The problem is the long-term outlook. Pro Football Focus (PFF) just dropped a report saying every single Bears defensive tackle finished the season with a grade under 60.0. That’s... not great. It’s why you’re starting to hear the name Kayden McDonald out of Ohio State. He’s a mountain of a man who eats double teams for breakfast. If the Bears pick at 25 or later—which would happen if they keep winning—he’s the guy everyone wants.
The Reality of the Rams Matchup
Sunday at 5:30 p.m. CT. Soldier Field is going to be a freezer. The forecast says windy and cold, which usually favors the home team. But this Rams team isn't the "soft" dome team people think they are. They can run the ball, and with T.J. Edwards out, that’s where they’ll poke the bear.
You’ve gotta wonder if the Bears can keep this "Cardiac Kids" routine going. You can only fall behind by double digits so many times before it bites you. But there’s a feeling in the city that this team is different. They don't panic. Caleb doesn't blink. Even when the offensive line is a patchwork quilt, they find a way.
Actionable Insights for the Divisional Round
If you're heading to the game or just watching from the couch, keep an eye on these specific factors. They will decide if the Bears head to the NFC Championship or if the dream ends here.
- Watch the Left Tackle Spot: Braxton Jones is returning from injury to protect Caleb’s blindside. If he’s rusty, the Rams will exploit it immediately.
- Monitor D’Marco Jackson: He has to fill the green-dot helmet (communication) for the defense now that Edwards is out. If there are alignment issues early, it’s a bad sign.
- The Loveland Effect: The Rams struggled against athletic tight ends all year. Expect Declan Doyle (the offensive coordinator) to use Loveland to pull the safeties away from DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.
- Check the Wind: Cairo Santos was perfect last week in the wind, while the Packers' kicker crumbled. In a close playoff game, the "Leg of Santos" is a legitimate weapon.
The road to the Super Bowl goes through Chicago this weekend. It’s been 15 years since this city felt a playoff win, and now they want more. Whether it's the miraculous comebacks or the looming stadium move to Indiana (or not), the Bears are the biggest story in sports right now. Buckle up.