Chicago Bears fans believe the team can go from worst to… second
In the ever-passionate world of sports fandom, few teams embody the relentless optimism and heartbreaking disappointments quite like the Chicago Bears. For decades, the Bears’ loyal supporters have clung to the hope that their team will one day return to the glory days of their storied past. Despite years of underperformance and frustrating seasons, the Chicago Bears’ fanbase has always been among the most dedicated and vocal in the NFL. As the team enters the new season, this devotion is paired with an evolving sense of optimism: the belief that the Bears can go from being one of the worst teams in the NFL to, at the very least, a competitive force in the NFC North. Perhaps not Super Bowl contenders just yet, but maybe, just maybe, they can leapfrog the bottom tier and finish second in the division—a significant step forward after years of disappointment.
This may seem like a modest goal, especially considering the Bears have finished near the bottom of the NFC North standings in recent seasons, but for a fanbase that has seen little more than mediocrity and dysfunction in the post-Super Bowl era, aiming for second place might just feel like a championship-worthy aspiration. And the fact that a large number of fans believe this is within the team’s reach is a testament to the shifting dynamics within the Bears’ organization and the rising hope surrounding their current roster and coaching staff.
For those not closely following the team, the Bears’ recent history has been a frustrating mix of near-misses, bad decisions, and questionable coaching hires. The most glaring issue for the Bears over the last several years has been their inconsistency at quarterback. Since the days of Hall of Famer Sid Luckman and even more recently, a brief but hopeful time with Jay Cutler, the Bears have never truly found a long-term solution at the most important position in the game. The franchise’s inability to develop a stable, reliable quarterback has been a recurring theme, and it’s been a primary factor in their inability to contend for championships in the modern NFL.
However, things began to shift in a big way when the Bears hired Ryan Poles as their general manager and Matt Eberflus as head coach. The pair represents a new wave of leadership for a team that desperately needed fresh ideas and a vision for the future. Ryan Poles, coming from the Kansas City Chiefs’ front office, brought with him a pedigree of success—he had been part of a Super Bowl-winning organization that knew how to draft, build, and maintain a winning roster. Matt Eberflus, a former defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, was tasked with instilling discipline, structure, and a sense of toughness into a team that, for too long, lacked an identity.
What followed was a complete overhaul of the roster, with key moves made to set the team up for long-term success. These changes have inspired renewed optimism, and fans are finally beginning to see the potential that has eluded them for so long. The team’s future, it seems, is no longer a vague hope—it is tangible. But just how high can the Bears climb in a division that, for the most part, has been dominated by the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings in recent years?
At first glance, it may seem audacious for Bears fans to believe that their team can go from the cellar of the NFC North to second place. After all, the Packers have dominated the division for years, with Aaron Rodgers pulling the strings at quarterback and leading them to multiple playoff appearances. The Vikings, too, have been a consistent playoff team with a strong defense and an explosive offense. However, the winds of change have blown through the NFC North in recent seasons, and with Aaron Rodgers leaving Green Bay for the New York Jets, the division suddenly feels like it’s up for grabs. This has opened the door for the Bears, and they believe they can capitalize.
The first piece of the puzzle that has given fans hope is the quarterback situation. The Bears’ hopes now rest squarely on the shoulders of Justin Fields. After a tumultuous rookie season, Fields showed flashes of brilliance in his sophomore year, showcasing his athleticism and playmaking ability. Though the Bears were still one of the worst teams in the NFL, Fields’ improvement gave fans reason to believe that he could develop into a franchise quarterback capable of leading them back to relevance. Fields is a dual-threat quarterback, capable of making explosive plays with both his arm and his legs, and it is his development that will be the key to the Bears’ success.
The Bears’ front office has recognized the importance of Fields’ growth, which is why they’ve worked hard to surround him with the necessary tools to succeed. This includes bolstering the offensive line, adding playmakers to the receiving corps, and building a running back room that can take pressure off Fields and provide balance to the offense. The addition of DJ Moore, a proven No. 1 wide receiver from the Carolina Panthers, has given Fields a legitimate weapon in the passing game. Moore’s physicality, speed, and route-running ability could take the Bears’ offense to a new level, opening up opportunities for Fields to make plays down the field. This move was a statement that the Bears are serious about supporting their young quarterback and that they’re committed to giving him the best chance to succeed.
The running game will also be critical to the Bears’ offensive success. With Fields’ ability to run the ball as a quarterback, coupled with the strength of David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert in the backfield, the Bears have the potential to dominate the ground game and control time of possession. A strong running attack would take pressure off Fields’ shoulders, allowing him to grow as a passer while utilizing his natural ability to make plays on the move.
On the other side of the ball, the Bears have begun to invest in the defensive unit, a unit that has historically been the team’s strength. The Bears have always prided themselves on tough, physical defense, and this is an area where they will need to be formidable if they hope to make a push for second place in the division. The addition of linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, one of the best free-agent signings of the offseason, bolsters their defense significantly. Edmunds brings leadership, athleticism, and a high football IQ to the middle of the defense. Paired with Roquan Smith, the Bears now boast one of the most talented linebacker duos in the NFL. The defense, under Eberflus’ coaching, will have the opportunity to play fast and aggressive, creating turnovers and putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The defensive line also saw significant improvements in the offseason. The Bears addressed the position with the addition of star defensive tackle Daron Payne, who will immediately improve the team’s ability to stop the run and generate pressure in the pass rush. With a revamped defensive front and a solid secondary, the Bears could see a return to the tough, hard-hitting defense that has been the hallmark of the franchise for decades.
While the Bears are cautiously optimistic, the NFC North remains a tough division, and climbing into second place won’t be easy. The Green Bay Packers, despite losing Aaron Rodgers, still have a solid roster and one of the best coaches in the NFL in Matt LaFleur. Quarterback Jordan Love, who steps in as Rodgers’ replacement, has shown promise during his limited time on the field, and the Packers’ defense remains one of the most talented in the division.
The Minnesota Vikings, coming off a playoff appearance, are still a major threat. Led by Kirk Cousins at quarterback, the Vikings have a high-powered offense that can score with anyone. They also have a solid defense, with playmakers on both sides of the ball. The Vikings will likely remain one of the top teams in the division, making second place in the NFC North a difficult prize to win. However, the Bears will be looking to capitalize on any vulnerabilities, whether it’s Minnesota’s inability to stay healthy or Green Bay’s potential struggles with a new quarterback.
Still, the biggest hurdle the Bears will face is the unpredictability of the NFL. The road to second place isn’t always linear, and even with all the right pieces in place, a single injury or unanticipated loss can derail the most promising of seasons. The Bears have to prove that they can perform consistently and, most importantly, that they can win games in the division. Success against their NFC North rivals will be the true measuring stick of their progress.
The belief that the Chicago Bears can go from worst to second is a reflection of a fanbase that has long endured disappointment but never lost faith. For Bears fans, this hope is not just about a playoff berth or an above-.500 record—it’s about the pride of knowing that the team is on the cusp of something bigger, that they are building towards a future where contention is the expectation, not the exception. They may not be Super Bowl contenders yet, but second place? That’s a step in the right direction.
