If you had told a Chicagoan back in August that they’d be hosting a playoff game in mid-January with a rookie-contract quarterback leading the charge, they probably would’ve laughed you out of the Lou Malnati's. But here we are. It’s January 18, 2026, and the city is absolutely buzzing. Honestly, it’s felt like a fever dream since about Week 3.
So, let's cut to the chase: what's the chicago bears record this year? The Chicago Bears finished the 2025 regular season with a 11-6 record.
They didn't just stumble into a winning season, either. They actually took the NFC North crown. For a franchise that spent most of 2024 looking for an identity (and a way to protect their quarterback), this has been a total 180. We’re talking about a team that went 5-12 just a year ago. To jump from 5 wins to 11 and a division title? That’s the kind of stuff that gets coaches statue-ready in this town.
Breaking down the 11-6 journey
Looking back at the schedule, it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows. The season actually started off kinda shaky. They dropped the opener to the Vikings 27-24 and then got absolutely dismantled by Detroit 52-21 in Week 2. At 0-2, the "Same Old Bears" tweets were flying. But then something clicked.
They rattled off a four-game win streak, beating the Cowboys, Raiders, Commanders, and Saints. That Week 9 game against Cincinnati was probably the turning point for most fans. It was a high-scoring 47-42 shootout where Caleb Williams finally looked like "The Guy."
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The 2025 Regular Season Results
- September: Started 2-2. A rough loss to Detroit followed by a gritty win over Dallas.
- October: The momentum shifted. They went 2-1 this month, only losing to a very tough Baltimore squad on the road.
- November: This was the "Money Month." They went a perfect 4-0. Beating the Bengals in that track meet, then handling the Giants, Vikings, and the Super Bowl champion Eagles.
- December/January: A bit of a roller coaster. They lost to Green Bay in a heartbreaker at Lambeau, but then rebounded to beat Cleveland and then got revenge on the Packers in a Week 16 overtime thriller. They finished the final two weeks with losses to the 49ers and Lions, but by then, the heavy lifting was done.
The Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson effect
You can't talk about what's the chicago bears record this year without mentioning the new leadership. Hiring Ben Johnson away from the Lions was arguably the biggest move Ryan Poles has ever made. Johnson brought that creative, aggressive offensive scheme that Chicago has been craving since... well, maybe forever.
Caleb Williams took a massive leap in year two under this system. Let’s look at the numbers. He finished the regular season with 3,942 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions. He also added about 388 yards and 3 scores on the ground. Most importantly? He only got sacked 24 times. Compare that to the 68 times he went down in 2024. That’s a testament to both the improved offensive line and Johnson's ability to get the ball out of Caleb's hands quickly.
D'Andre Swift also played a huge role, finally giving the Bears a 1,000-yard rusher again. He ended with 1,087 yards and 9 touchdowns. Having that reliable ground game meant teams couldn't just sell out to stop DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, who both had stellar seasons.
Why the defense stayed relevant
While the offense got the headlines, the defense held its own. Dennis Allen came in as the Defensive Coordinator and basically told the unit to "bend but don't break." They weren't the 1985 Bears—they actually ranked 23rd in points allowed—but they were opportunistic.
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The secondary, led by Kevin Byard and Jaylon Johnson, was a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. They forced 23 interceptions throughout the season. That turnover margin is a huge reason why they won so many close games. When you look at the 11-6 record, realize that five of those wins were by 4 points or fewer. They knew how to close.
What's happening right now?
Since today is January 18, 2026, the regular season record is only half the story. The Bears already took care of business in the Wild Card round, beating the Green Bay Packers 31-27 in a game that probably took five years off the life of every person in Soldier Field.
Tonight is the big one. The NFC Divisional Round against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Rams are coming in at 12-5, and they’re actually 3.5-point favorites according to most Vegas books. But it’s a night game at Soldier Field in January. The "Lake Effect" is real, and the Rams are used to playing in a dome or the California sun.
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Key storylines for the Divisional Round:
- DJ Moore’s Health: He’s been listed as a game-time decision, but latest reports say he cleared the final injury check. If he’s 100%, the Rams' secondary is in trouble.
- The Ben Johnson Chess Match: Johnson is facing off against Sean McVay. It's two of the best offensive minds in the league.
- Caleb vs. The Pressure: The Rams' front seven is aggressive. Caleb needs to maintain that 1.2% interception rate if the Bears want to advance to the NFC Championship.
Making sense of the turnaround
If you're wondering how this happened so fast, it's a mix of draft hits and aggressive free agency. Signing Joe Thuney and Drew Dalman solidified the interior of the line, which was a sieve in 2024. Then you add a playmaker like Luther Burden III in the draft, and suddenly the offense has too many weapons to cover.
The city hasn't felt this way about the Bears since 2018, and honestly, this feels more sustainable. It's not just a lucky defense; it's a modern, high-powered offense.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Kickoff: The Bears vs. Rams game kicks off tonight at 6:30 PM ET on NBC.
- Track the Injury Report: Keep a close eye on the inactive list 90 minutes before kickoff to see if there are any late scratches in the secondary.
- Look Ahead: If the Bears win tonight, they’ll face the winner of the Seahawks/49ers game for a trip to the Super Bowl.
The journey from 5-12 to a division-winning 11-6 has been incredible to watch. Regardless of what happens tonight, the "rebuild" is officially over. This is a playoff-caliber team for the foreseeable future.