Few would have predicted the Chicago Bears as Super Bowl contenders after they finished with the NFL’s worst record in 2022. In 2024, the Bears used the #1 draft pick to select Caleb Williams as their franchise quarterback. Williams did not appear to be the solution the Bears needed, but when the team hired Ben Johnson as head coach last offseason, the ingredients for a big turnaround were in place.
Building on this momentum, the Bears are 9-3 so far this season and most recently picked up a dominant win over last year’s Super Bowl champion, the Philadelphia Eagles. During their road game against the Eagles, the Bears’ offense started to show its true form as a dominant force. Bears running backs Kyle Monagai and D’Andre Swift ran for a combined 281 rushing yards against one of the best defensive units in the NFL.
What has made the Bears a legitimate Super Bowl contender in 2025 is a blend of old-school football and modern-age leadership. During the off-season, Chicago invested in its offensive line to strengthen the running game and better protect Caleb Williams. As a result, the Bears’ offense became a dominant force, controlling the line of scrimmage against the Eagles for four quarters.
Given these improvements, it is becoming clear that the Bears’ strong record and their new position at the top of the NFC North standings are about more than just getting lucky. This season, Chicago has been able to use their strong running game to manage the game and keep quarterback Caleb Williams in manageable situations. The combination of the strong running game and Williams’s solid play has led the Bears to a 6-1 record in one-score games this season.
