The Chicago Bears may have taken a major step forward in 2025, but inside the organization, thereâs no sense of satisfaction.
Team chairman George McCaskey made that clear while reflecting on what he called a âgreatâ and âmiraculousâ season. He emphasized that the bigger goal still hasnât been reached. âIt was a great run. It was a miraculous run.
Surreal run,â McCaskey said. âBut ultimately, we fell short of our goal. The goal is to win the Super Bowl. So thereâs some more work to be done.â
After an 11-6 finish, a division title and a playoff win, expectations have quickly shifted, but McCaskey isnât letting the moment turn into complacency. âWhat do we have to be complacent about?â he said. âWe havenât achieved our goal.â
Bears Turnaround Built on Belief in Ben Johnson
Chicagoâs rapid rise in its first season under head coach Ben Johnson was fueled by resilience as much as talent. The team opened 0-2 before rallying to win 11 games, with multiple comeback victories defining the year. According to McCaskey, that mindset starts with Johnsonâs presence.
âHeâs intense, intelligent, innovative and passionate,â McCaskey said. âHeâs got the players believing in him and, more importantly, believing in themselves.â
That belief showed up consistently late in games. Even when trailing, Chicago carried a belief that it could find a way back.
âNo matter what happens, this group of players figures, âWeâre not out of it, weâre going to have to find a way to win, and we will find a way to win,ââ McCaskey said.
The confidence wasnât just internal. Around the league, the Bearsâ ability to close tight games became one of their defining traits, a clear shift from previous seasons where those same situations often ended very differently.
Why the Bears’ Next Steps Matters More
Despite the progress, the way the season ended still lingers. Chicagoâs playoff run came to a halt in the divisional round against the Los Angeles Rams, a loss that quickly refocused the organization on what still needs to improve.
McCaskey pointed to the roster foundation as a reason for optimism but made it clear that growth is expected, not hoped for.
âI think we have a good core of players,â he said. âThey fight like hell for each other. They fight like hell for their coach.â
That combination of talent and belief gives Chicago a legitimate platform heading into 2026, but the message from the top is unmistakable. A division title and playoff win are no longer enough.
Prior to last season, the Bears hadnât had a winning record since 2018 and went 57-92 dating back to 2016. Now, that has changed.
For a franchise that spent years searching for stability, the Bears may have finally found it. Now, as McCaskey made clear, the standard has changed, and anything short of a Super Bowl push wonât be viewed the same way anymore.
The Bears ownership and front office have complete belief that Johnson will get them there.
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