2025-26 NFL Season Thread

[Flash Tizzle]

I don’t know when they’ll announce the schedule, but I’d bet Packers/Bears is the Monday night matchup for next week. 

[The Beast]

49 minutes ago, PaleAleSox said:

Seems to be a worse matchup for the Bears. 

Please explain.

20 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said:

Of course he will be.

Let's just say the Bears have to fix a lot of things before next weekend.

If they don't?

It will be "one and done" in the playoffs.

Detroit had nothing to play for today, NOTHING and shredded the Bears defense. And they did it with a lot of starters out.

They're damn lucky Washington upset the Eagles or they'd be looking at the 49'ers again and that's a sure loss.

This defense has been atrocious three straight weeks and has to be fixed this off season. Period. End of story.

The Bears should be embarrassed by their performance today.

Specifically the Bears defense, in my opinion.

[Kyyle23]

Raheem Morris is out, Atlanta is moving on

[Lip Man 1]

Here's the other thing I don't understand about the way the Bears handled the final few minutes and I hope someone asks Johnson about this.

Right after the interception the Bears have decent field position and there is still about 2:30 minutes left.

Why in the world are you throwing on first and second down?

Why are you stopping the clock and allowing Detroit to keep their last time out?

Run the damn football.

Even if you don't gain a yard you either burn off about 1:15 or force Detroit to use that time out and you still take some time off the clock.

Detroit has less time to work with and no time outs. 

if they still score with no time outs and less time on the clock you tip your hat to them. 

Take the game to overtime. 

Just really bad decision making in my opinion.  

[The Beast]

16 minutes ago, Kyyle23 said:

Raheem Morris is out, Atlanta is moving on

Colts Head Coach Shane Steichen and GM Chris Ballard are safe in Indianapolis.

[Lip Man 1]

Bears 2026 schedule is set:

https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2026/01/04/bears-2026-opponents-set-including-visits-to-bills-seahawks-home-games-vs-patriots-eagles

[The Beast]

15 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said:

Here's the other thing I don't understand about the way the Bears handled the final few minutes and I hope someone asks Johnson about this.

Right after the interception the Bears have decent field position and there is still about 2:30 minutes left.

Why in the world are you throwing on first and second down?

Why are you stopping the clock and allowing Detroit to keep their last time out?

Run the damn football.

Even if you don't gain a yard you either burn off about 1:15 or force Detroit to use that time out and you still take some time off the clock.

Detroit has less time to work with and no time outs. 

if they still score with no time outs and less time on the clock you tip your hat to them. 

Take the game to overtime. 

Just really bad decision making in my opinion.  

I was cooking dinner so I had Joniak on and didn’t see this part of the game, but in terms of the situation, I would definitely have preferred running with Swift or Monangai there. Someone should definitely ask about that.

[chw42]

1 hour ago, Lip Man 1 said:

Here's the other thing I don't understand about the way the Bears handled the final few minutes and I hope someone asks Johnson about this.

Right after the interception the Bears have decent field position and there is still about 2:30 minutes left.

Why in the world are you throwing on first and second down?

Why are you stopping the clock and allowing Detroit to keep their last time out?

Run the damn football.

Even if you don't gain a yard you either burn off about 1:15 or force Detroit to use that time out and you still take some time off the clock.

Detroit has less time to work with and no time outs. 

if they still score with no time outs and less time on the clock you tip your hat to them. 

Take the game to overtime. 

Just really bad decision making in my opinion.  

They never could establish the run today at all. Detroit hasn't exactly been good at stopping the run recently. Very weird game plan all around.

I also think that Johnson wanted to get Caleb to 4k pass yards. I think he needed 74 yards for it and they got the ball starting at the 26, so it would have been exactly 74 yards if they passed the entire way for a TD. 

But yeah I had the same thought. Run the ball once and get it to the 2 minute warning and then go from there. They did have a decent looking play on first and 10 but Burden dropped it. This really was a no harm no foul game, but I'm just confused why they came out with the game plan they had. It honestly felt like they didn't want to give teams any more tape on plays they might run in the playoffs. If that's the case then you might as well have rested all your starters. 

I'm also really concerned about how badly we start in these divisional games. This goes all the way back to week 11 against the Vikings. It feels like our scripted plays are all terrible and we just stall early in games. Ben eventually makes adjustments, but we've gotta start better. Some of that is on Caleb, but Ben has to get the offense going early and at least give his defense a rest. You absolutely cannot do that in the playoffs and expect to still be in games in the 4th quarter. 

Edited yesterday at 03:19 AM by chw42

[chw42]

1 hour ago, Flash Tizzle said:

I don’t know when they’ll announce the schedule, but I’d bet Packers/Bears is the Monday night matchup for next week. 

They play Saturday night on Prime Video. 

[Tony]

Honestly really like getting the Packers. Not only is it probably the best matchup for the Bears, but if they win...everything else this season is truly gravy. If they lose, it will be pretty heartbreaking, and hopefully it's a kick in the ass to put them over the top in the offseason. 

[SoCalChiSox]

I wouldn't be shocked if all 3 road teams in the NFC wildcard round win.

[Milkman delivers]

7 minutes ago, SoCalChiSox said:

I wouldn't be shocked if all 3 road teams in the NFC wildcard round win.

I would almost expect it, honestly.

[Lip Man 1]

https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2026/01/04/bears-packers-nfc-wild-card-caleb-williams-ben-johnson

[Lip Man 1]

2 hours ago, chw42 said:

They never could establish the run today at all. Detroit hasn't exactly been good at stopping the run recently. Very weird game plan all around.

I also think that Johnson wanted to get Caleb to 4k pass yards. I think he needed 74 yards for it and they got the ball starting at the 26, so it would have been exactly 74 yards if they passed the entire way for a TD. 

But yeah I had the same thought. Run the ball once and get it to the 2 minute warning and then go from there. They did have a decent looking play on first and 10 but Burden dropped it. This really was a no harm no foul game, but I'm just confused why they came out with the game plan they had. It honestly felt like they didn't want to give teams any more tape on plays they might run in the playoffs. If that's the case then you might as well have rested all your starters. 

I'm also really concerned about how badly we start in these divisional games. This goes all the way back to week 11 against the Vikings. It feels like our scripted plays are all terrible and we just stall early in games. Ben eventually makes adjustments, but we've gotta start better. Some of that is on Caleb, but Ben has to get the offense going early and at least give his defense a rest. You absolutely cannot do that in the playoffs and expect to still be in games in the 4th quarter. 

With respect I can't subscribe to this notion for a second. That's the last thing Johnson would care about and so would Williams. As to the second bolded point Johnson swore in the postgame he was holding nothing back.

Bottom line, the Bears came out flat, disinterested maybe arrogant and it bit them right on the ass. 

The #1 off season project has to be to get some game wreckers on defense via trade, free agent signings or a draft pick or two.

[WhiteSox2023]

Hilarious that it took this long to beat out Erik Kramer’s 1995 season for the single season passing yard leader.  And it still took another game on the schedule being added.

https://bearswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bears/2026/01/04/bears-caleb-williams-sets-single-season-passing-record/88020300007/

Edited yesterday at 05:49 AM by WhiteSox2023

[Harry Chappas]

Any player on the defense that is making any kind of money that does not kill the cap should be released.

Why Stevenson is not playing is beyond me.  I know he was injured/sick/bad/poor attitude but did not see him on an injury report. I am hoping Johnson is still injured because if he is healthy he needs to be cut. He and Sweat were awful extensions that were paid because of one good year. 

The defense has gotten worse when the starting linebackers came back and the Bears went to a lovie defense of bend but don't break.  I am not certain a team has punted in the last three games.

Love will pass for 400 yards Saturday against this defense.

Every asset/signing this offseason needs to be on defense.

A couple of weeks ago I had mentioned trading Rome and the #1 to move high in the draft but DJ Moore seems to disappear during games and its odd.  I like him and he seems to be a gamer but moving on from him seems best, his contract may make that difficult.  If we can trust Luther long term, he is a dude.  Best WR on the team. 

 

Edited yesterday at 02:05 PM by Harry Chappas

[Kyyle23]

2 time coach of the year Kevin Stefanski fired 

[Kyyle23]

9 minutes ago, Harry Chappas said:

Any player on the defense that is making any kind of money that does not kill the cap should be released.

Why Stevenson is not playing is beyond me.  I know he was injured/sick/bad/poor attitude but did not see him on an injury report. I am hoping Johnson is still injured because if he is healthy he needs to be cut. He and Sweat were awful extensions that were paid because of one good year. 

The defense has gotten worse when the starting linebackers came back and the Bears went to a lovie defense of bend but don't break.  I am not certain a team has punted in the last three games.

Love will pass for 400 yards Saturday against this defense.

Every asset/signing this offseason needs to be on defense.

A couple of weeks ago I had mentioned trading Rome and the #1 to move high in the draft but DJ Moore seems to disappear during games and its odd.  I like him and he seems to be a gamer but moving on from him seems best, his contract may make that difficult.  If we can trust Luther long term, he is a dude.  Best WR on the team. 

 

It’s funny when the bears lose and every panic button is pushed again

[Harry Chappas]

33 minutes ago, Kyyle23 said:

It’s funny when the bears lose and every panic button is pushed again

The defense is one of the worst in football and should be addressed.  That was my point.   I am not panicking over how bad they are, it is reality.    

[Kyyle23]

2 minutes ago, Harry Chappas said:

The defense is one of the worst in football and should be addressed.  That was my point.   I am not panicking over how bad they are, it is reality.    

You have traded players, released players, moved on to draft trades and decided Love is putting up 400 on Saturday, and you are freaking out about Stevenson not playing.  Maybe the coaching staff knows something about Stevenson that you don’t, like the hip injury is still bothering him or his knee is bothering him?  No, just benching him to drive fans nuts?  Thats not reality reactions, thats just being in your feelings after a loss 

[Harry Chappas]

1 hour ago, Kyyle23 said:

You have traded players, released players, moved on to draft trades and decided Love is putting up 400 on Saturday, and you are freaking out about Stevenson not playing.  Maybe the coaching staff knows something about Stevenson that you don’t, like the hip injury is still bothering him or his knee is bothering him?  No, just benching him to drive fans nuts?  Thats not reality reactions, thats just being in your feelings after a loss 

Ok 

 

 

[Quin]

I feel like it's worth noting that it felt like when it mattered most, the defense did get the stop (Byard interception) and the offense ended up botching it.

Doesn't excuse that it feels like they can't stop a cold sometimes, but the offense needs to do more than just waiting until they can adjust in the second half + start lighting it up with 8 minutes left.

[chw42]

6 minutes ago, Quin said:

I feel like it's worth noting that it felt like when it mattered most, the defense did get the stop (Byard interception) and the offense ended up botching it.

Doesn't excuse that it feels like they can't stop a cold sometimes, but the offense needs to do more than just waiting until they can adjust in the second half + start lighting it up with 8 minutes left.

They've been playing like the Eberflus defense from the past few years ever since the 2nd Packers game. They don't give up a ton of points (outside of the SF game), as they get stops in the red zone and hold teams to FGs. It's effective for keeping the score low, but it also keeps the offense off the field and makes it hard for them to get any real rhythm. 

[Kyyle23]

Arizona fires Jonathan Gannon.  Kyler Murray gettin guys fired left and right 

[Quin]

Pete Carroll axed.

Thank god the Bears got Ben Johnson.