2026 Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[WrigleyField 22]

Joe Thuney Protector of the Year

Caleb game winning OT throw to Moore was Moment of the Year

[NorthsideAvenger]

3 minutes ago, WrigleyField 22 said:

It was really a stacked year for the award

I know but only one vote?

[Soul]

1 hour ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

I know but only one vote?

It does seem really low.  But, I’d rather the team feel disrespected than validated.

[NorthsideAvenger]

8 hours ago, Soul said:

It does seem really low.  But, I’d rather the team feel disrespected than validated.

Sure. If this means the Bears curb stomped their way to a title next year then I glad for the disrespect. I thought he earned more than 1 vote. 

[WrigleyField 22]

Based on his finish over Shannahan who had more 1st place votes, he must have done well in the 2nd and 3rd place votes. 

Edited February 6 by WrigleyField 22

[minnesotacubsfan]

Caleb to DJ in OT was moment of the year (I guess play of the year?)

Thuney protector of the year

 

 

Edited February 6 by minnesotacubsfan

[WrigleyField 22]

6 minutes ago, minnesotacubsfan said:

Caleb to DJ in OT was moment of the year (I guess play of the year?)

Thuney protector of the year

 

 

Moment of the year is a cool award. 

 

I'm waitimg to find some spreadsheet dork be like 🤓 well actually the highest ranked EPA play of the year was a week 5 play in the second quarter of.. 

[WrigleyField 22]

Ben's one first place vote was local, Dan Pompei.

[We Got The Whole 9]

I think his best throw, from a technical standpoint + leverage situation, was the throw to Walker. That throw has been lost among the great throws to DJ. 

[minnesotacubsfan]

45 minutes ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

I think his best throw, from a technical standpoint + leverage situation, was the throw to Walker. That throw has been lost among the great throws to DJ. 

yea, but when DJ landed with that TD, it sent the better part of 15 million fans to the moon ... in a heartbeat

 

[Geographyhater8888]

It’s a joke that Stafford and Maye were separated by 1 vote for MVP. Stafford should’ve won decisively. 

[Geographyhater8888]

17 hours ago, WrigleyField 22 said:

Moment of the year is a cool award. 

 

I'm waitimg to find some spreadsheet dork be like 🤓 well actually the highest ranked EPA play of the year was a week 5 play in the second quarter of.. 

I’ll bet that 25 yard touchdown to DJ vs the Browns over 3 defenders is up there. 

Edited February 7 by Geographyhater8888

[Banedon]

[Banedon]

Putting this here for reference when we get to the end of next season to see how it compares to the actual strength of schedule for 2026.

[Old Style]

ESPN did their way too early power rankings for next season and the Bears are 3rd…IN THE DIVISION.  

[muntjack]

I feel very confident that the Bears are going to be the team to beat in the North for some time.  

[Soul]

35 minutes ago, Old Style said:

ESPN did their way too early power rankings for next season and the Bears are 3rd…IN THE DIVISION.  

They probably had Chiefs / Eagles in the Super Bowl too.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Bears/Seahawks to open up the 2026 season. That is my prediction. Other than the Chargers, there really is no other intriguing matchup for the Seahawks to play at home in W1. 

[gflore34]

They're blabbing about Maxx Crosby on the Score this morning, just don't think he's worth mortgaging the future ala the Packers with Parsons.  Multiple first round draft choices for a guy coming off a knee surgery on the wrong side of 25?  Hard pass.  I'd rather the Bears make some cap space, sign Hendrickson and, take the best edge on the board at 25.

[champaignchris]

Looking at the QBs available in free agency and the number of teams looking for bridge QBs or spot starters while their main guy rehabs, if there was ever a year to cash in Bagent for a 3rd round draft pick, this is the year. 

[BigSlick]

21 hours ago, muntjack said:

I feel very confident that the Bears are going to be the team to beat in the North for some time.  

Maybe. It's a really competitive division with, regrettably, a lot of very smart coaches and executives in it. I fear it will be a dog fight for several years to come. Jordan Love isn't going anywhere, and he's at least good. The Lions had a down year but that took a ton of injuries and Eberflusian botched games to merely go 9-8. The Vikings had one of the worst QB Situations this side of a Bears season and they still went 9-8. I do think the sun is setting on those teams faster than on us, as we're the ascendant power... but they have smart coaches. I wish they didn't. 

I'd like to think we're gonna dominate the NFC North like the Packers did from the late 90s until.... well basically a couple years ago. But I fear it'll be competitive for a while. 

Edited February 10 by BigSlick

[Tryptamine]

2 hours ago, gflore34 said:

They're blabbing about Maxx Crosby on the Score this morning, just don't think he's worth mortgaging the future ala the Packers with Parsons.  Multiple first round draft choices for a guy coming off a knee surgery on the wrong side of 25?  Hard pass.  I'd rather the Bears make some cap space, sign Hendrickson and, take the best edge on the board at 25.

It makes no sense that Crosby would get 2 firsts. A younger better Khalil Mack got 2 1sts and a 3rd. A younger and better Micah Parsons got 2 firsts and a defensive tackle in Kenny Clark.  Why should Crosby get a similar return to two better players then him who were both 3 years younger than Crosby at the time of the trade?

Edited February 10 by Tryptamine

[gflore34]

2 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

It makes no sense that Crosby would get 2 firsts. A younger better Khalil Mack got 2 1sts and a 3rd. A younger and better Micah Parsons got 2 firsts and a defensive tackle in Kenny Clark.  Why should Crosby get a similar return to two better players then him who were both 3 years younger than Crosby at the time of the trade?

I agree, no way in hell is Crosby on par with Parsons or the younger Mack, I don't believe he's worth a first.

[MidoreX]

He's also stated that he doesn't want to play another snap as a Raider, so they don't have as much leverage as Dallas did last year, even though they were also in a salary dispute. Granted, Myles Garrett said the same thing last year and wound up playing for the Browns again, so who knows

[BigSlick]

I haven't done a deep dive on this draft yet (god bless, the Bears have been so good that I haven't felt the need to), but reportedly this is an Edge heavy draft. 

If you think Maxx is gonna produce better over the next couple years better than whatever you can get at 25, then I say go for it. The team is ready to compete right now, so I don't mind making that trade. You can make the money work. But if its marginal... well, better to get the younger cheaper guy.