Have the 2025 Chicago Bears Officially Arrived?
Something our Chicago Bears haven’t been able to say in seven years—until we put Spencer Rattler and what I thought was a frisky New Orleans Saints team to rest this past Sunday.
Four Straight Wins
Naturally, when the Bears do something they haven’t done since 2018, it’s only right to think, “Hey, could this actually be like 2018?”
And while I won’t shame any fans who feel that way, I think it’s important that we all stay composed, take it one week at a time, and keep our helmets strapped on tight.
But before we get into whether this team has officially arrived, let’s bask in this beautiful win streak and relive the ass-kicking we all enjoyed on Sunday.
I was privileged enough to be at Soldier Field this week—somewhere I hadn’t been in years, mostly because Ben Johnson and the fellas have finally made those $3 trillion tickets feel worth the price.
And let me tell you, this team feels different. For the first time in a long time, I never felt like the Bears were going to crumble, even when things didn’t look pretty.
And to be clear—yes, even with a healthy amount of Miller Lites in me—I could tell when things didn’t look pretty. But regardless, this team is finding ways to win when they’re not at their best, where in the past we watched them find ways to lose when they looked their best. That’s a complete flip, and one every Bears fan should be ecstatic about.
The Run Game is Cookin’
The run game was absolutely fantastic. There’s nothing I love more than seeing a guy like DJ Moore downfield giving a safety the business and throwing key blocks.
The offensive line officially feels like a unit that’s gelling. Even though he didn’t have his best game, Theo Benedet brings some much-needed big-boy energy to this line I didn’t know we were missing. I can’t explain “lineman swagger,” but he’s got it.
It’s not your typical swagger—it’s the kind that shows up on gameday in a comically oversized suit and makes you say, “Yeah, that guy rocks.”
Kyle Monangai finally had his coming-out party, and it was glorious. And last but not least, D’Andre Swift once again deserves his flowers. This is a guy who’s heard it all—trade rumors, fans chirping—and he’s responded with back-to-back monster performances. Kudos where it’s due.
Defense With Swagger
If there’s one thing eerily similar to the 2018 Bears, it’s this defense. No, I don’t think they’re as good as that unit, and no, we probably won’t keep getting four turnovers a game (though that would absolutely kick ass).
But this is a defense that’s playing its balls off for Dennis Allen—and that rocks. There’s nothing that gives me more confidence than a defense that plays with swagger and hits hard.
The interceptions may fade, but this coaching staff clearly emphasizes attacking the ball every play, and it’s paying off. Kevin Byard looks like his vintage self, and even if it doesn’t always show on the stat sheet, it finally feels like we’re getting the version of Montez Sweat worth his contract.
As this group gets healthier and gains more reps together, I can only imagine them improving—and next week against Lamar and the Ravens will be their biggest test yet.
But for now, I’m all in on this defense, and I’m all in on DA.
Please, go watch that postgame speech and the boys getting rowdy, and try not to run through a brick wall.
The Not-So-Pretty Truth
Now, even with all the good, there’s still a lot this team needs to clean up—and even Ben would tell you that.
Side note: I love how Ben Johnson gives his guys their flowers while still pointing out what needs fixing. That’s what a good coach does.
Because this game was far from perfect, and if we’re being honest, it starts with QB1.
I’ve been the biggest Caleb defender on the planet, and that won’t change. But it’s okay to admit he needs to play better. Hell, even he said it. And I fully expect him to.
We can’t be shocked by ups and downs when Ben Johnson literally said pre-season that there would be ups and downs. Caleb’s played just 23 NFL games. He is improving—but the passing game needs to take a step forward if this team wants to go anywhere.
If you want my unwarranted prediction, I think that step comes this weekend in Baltimore. The run game is finally humming, and that’s the foundation of Ben’s offense. With that established, the play-action game should start clicking—and that’s where Caleb thrives. But as it stands, it’s fair criticism to say this team will only go as far as Caleb goes. Unfortunately, that was also the theme of 2018 with Mitch.
(Caleb is going to be 15 billion times better than Mitch and probably light up the Ravens defense, and I’ll start thinking Super Bowl—but for journalistic integrity, I had to include one paragraph critiquing our savior because he was unfortunately buns on Sunday.)
Are the Bears “Back”?
Now, are the Bears back? I don’t know if I’m qualified to answer that since I yell it about 15 times per game.
But honestly, this year feels different because both the team and the fanbase have tempered expectations—and weirdly, it’s working.
We didn’t just beat four all-time great teams, but wins are wins. And as Bears fans, we all know these are the exact types of games we used to find ways to lose.
So no, I’m not saying we’re instant contenders or that we should go all-in at the trade deadline (we’ve seen how that can go… cough cough, Commanders). But I’m also not going to act like a four-game win streak means nothing.
I’m taking a bold stance of neutrality. I know, I’m a hero.
We’re winning, but we still need to improve—and honestly, that’s the best-case scenario. Winning dramatically while still giving the coaching staff ammo to keep guys hungry is the perfect recipe for sustained success.
As a Bears fan who’s rarely experienced success, I refuse to not enjoy this. I’m taking it one week at a time and just enjoying the ride.
So let’s not get ahead of ourselves—let’s just enjoy these wins. Lord knows we need them.
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Categorized:Bears