3 Bold Chicago Bears Predictions That Could Actually Happen During the 2026 NFL Season

The Chicago Bears surprised a lot of people by making the playoffs in Ben Johnson's first season as head coach. After years of disappointment, expectations have finally started to change in Chicago. With Johnson entering his second season and the roster continuing to improve, the Bears have a chance to take another step forward in 2026. With that in mind, here are three bold Chicago Bears predictions for the 2026 season.

3 Chicago Bears Bold Predictions for the 2026 Season

1. Bears go 2-0 Vs Green Bay

Many Bears fans may think prediction a season sweep of the Packers is ludicrous. The last time Chicago swept Green Bay in the season series was 2007. That's nearly 20 years of mostly getting swept and occasionally spitting.

However, since Caleb Williams has arrived in Chicago tides seem to be turning. During his rookie season, Chicago went 1-1 against the Packers, and they should have gone 2-0 if Cairo Santos' field goal hadn't been blocked. Last year, the Bears went 2-1 against Green Bay with a win in the playoffs.

In all three games, the Bears mounted impressive fourth-quarter comebacks led by Williams. While those wins were exciting, if Chicago wants to sweep the season series this year, they will need to play a full four quarters of football and not just show up in the fourth.

What makes this prediction believable isn't just the recent results. It's that Chicago is finally built to compete with Green Bay every time these teams meet. Caleb Williams has already shown he can beat the Packers, Ben Johnson has completely changed the culture in Chicago, and Ryan Poles has built one of the deepest rosters the Bears have had in a long time. The Packers are still a good football team, but this rivalry finally feels like it's on even ground.

With all the depth Green Bay lost this offseason and the fact that they won't have Micah Parsons for their first meeting, all signs are pointing in Chicago's direction. Still, the Bears will need to show up on their A-game because the Packers will be looking for vengeance.

2. The Bears will have 3 or more First Team All-Pros in 2026

On the surface, this prediction sounds crazier than beating the Packers twice. The last time Chicago had more than two first-team All-Pros was during the 2006 season. That year, Brian Urlacher, Devin Hester, Olin Kreutz, and Robbie Gould all earned that honor.

Joe Thuney and Kevin Byard were named first-team All-Pros in 2025. However, this offseason, Chicago chose not to bring Byard back, leaving just one returning first-team All-Pro on the roster. That means the Bears will need multiple players to elevate their game if this prediction is going to come true.

Two players who have been on the cusp of becoming first-team All-Pros are Darnell Wright and Jaylon Johnson. Wright earned second-team All-Pro honors last season, while Johnson earned the same honor in 2023. Given that Wright is still young and entering a contract year, it's not unreasonable to believe he could become a first-team All-Pro.

Johnson, on the other hand, may take a little more convincing for fans to believe he can reach that level again. In 2023, Johnson was truly an elite cornerback, allowing a reception percentage of just 50% (25/50). However, that number increased to 62.7% (32/51) in 2024.

Last season, injuries kept Johnson off the field, creating questions about whether he can return to the level he played at in 2023. Still, many fans believe he can become that elite cornerback again. If Johnson is able to recapture that form, he has the talent to earn first-team All-Pro honors.

Finally, the boldest part of this prediction is Caleb Williams earning first-team All-Pro honors. Some Bears fans may not think this is crazy, but many will. Earning first-team All-Pro honors at quarterback essentially means you are the MVP of the league.

Williams certainly has the talent to become an MVP candidate, but he needs to become a more consistent passer. If he can improve his accuracy and decision-making and continue developing under Ben Johnson, there is no reason why he can't be in the MVP conversation and potentially earn first-team All-Pro honors.

With Thuney returning, Chicago only needs two more players to earn first-team All-Pro honors for this prediction to come true. Given how demanding Ben Johnson's coaching style is and how much talent this roster has, adding two more first-team All-Pros in 2026 doesn't feel as unrealistic as it may seem. The Bears finally have the type of roster where multiple players can reach an elite level in the same season.

3. Austin Booker Records 10+ Sacks

The Bears need somebody to break out on their defensive line alongside Montez Sweat, and the most popular player people are predicting is Austin Booker. This is understandable given how well he was playing after returning from injury last season.

Upon his return, Booker recorded 36 QB pressures, which included six sacks, according to PFF. The 23-year-old also has an unbelievable motor and desire to get to the quarterback. Maybe his most memorable play of last season was a sack he had on Jordan Love that was unrightfully (in some Bears fans' opinions) called roughing the passer.

While many are predicting Booker may break through in his third season, many may believe that him reaching 10 or more sacks is still lofty. Nevertheless, the desire he showed to get to the quarterback last season proves why he may become the bears next top pass rusher.

If Booker is able to achieve this, Chicago's defense will be in a great spot going forward. The Bears currently don't have a pass rusher who truly scares opposing play-callers. While Sweat made the NFL's top 100 list, teams started sliding protection towards Booker last season. That goes to show that Sweat isn't seen as a one-A type of pass rusher.

A Booker breakout would give the Bears two dangerous edge rushers, which could help push them over the edge as they look to compete with a much better Los Angeles Rams team.