The Chicago Bears in 2025: A New Era, Early Growing Pains
Chicago have entered the 2025 NFL season with a lot of eyes on them. A clean slate: a new head coach, exciting draft picks, young talent, and hopes of turning things around. As of Week 2, though, the story is mixed. Let’s dive in.
New Leadership, High Hopes
- Ben Johnson is in his first season as head coach. He was hired in January 2025 after the Bears fired Matt Eberflus late in the 2024 season. Johnson arrives with a strong resume, especially with offenses he helped build during his time with the Detroit Lions.
- Key offseason moves included acquiring Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson via trade to bolster the offensive line.
- Their 2025 draft has added promising young players like tight end Colston Loveland (drafted 10th overall) and cornerback Zah Frazier.
How Things Have Gone So Far: The Rough Start
- Record: The Bears are 0-2 at this stage of the season, sitting 4th in the NFC North.
- Scores: After a close loss to the Vikings in Week 1 (27–24), they were beaten mercilessly by the Detroit Lions in Week 2, 52–21.
- Offensively, there are flashes. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has shown promise. For example, in the loss to Detroit, he threw for over 200 yards and two touchdowns, both to standout rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze.
- On the defensive side, though, there are serious concerns. The Bears are allowing 39.5 points per game so far — among the worst in the league. Injuries and inconsistency, especially in the cornerback room, have been particularly damaging.
Injuries & Roster Woes
- Jaylon Johnson, a key player in the secondary, is expected to miss the remainder of the season after a groin injury.
- Fellow cornerback Kyler Gordon is also sidelined (week-to-week) with a hamstring injury.
- Other moves: the Bears signed kicker Jake Moody to the practice squad, possibly with an eye toward competition at the position down the road or as depth.
Bright Spots & What’s Working
- Rome Odunze — The rookie wide receiver has already done something unusual: matched his touchdown total after two games that he had in his entire rookie season. He’s showing big-play ability and looks like a foundational piece.
- D’Andre Swift has provided reliable production in the rushing game and shown flashes when called upon.
- Draft additions like Colston Loveland give hope for long-term offensive stability or mismatch potential. With so much of the offense likely to be leaning on young talent, those rookies matter.
Challenges Ahead
- Defensive issues are severe. The loss of key corners, poor limiting of opponent offenses, and lack of consistent pressure are all problematic. If that doesn’t improve, any hopes of a turnaround will be tough.
- Offensive consistency — beyond the flashes. Caleb Williams has shown promise, but there have also been mistakes and times when the offense stalled, especially under pressure.
- Injuries are piling up. If more players go down in key positions, the depth will be tested heavily.
- The schedule gets tougher as the season goes on. The Bears have upcoming matchups where both offense and defense will need to step up in big ways to avoid falling too far behind.
What to Watch For
- How soon the injured cornerback situation gets better (whether via return, depth, or schematic adjustments).
- Whether the young players (Williams, Odunze, Loveland, others) can sustain growth and start producing more “wins.”
- Does Coach Ben Johnson show adaptation? The ability to adjust schemes, game plans, and temperament can define whether this is a building year or a lost cause.
- Special teams — kicking and punting — could swing close games. With areas of uncertainty there, small margins might make big differences.
- Big upcoming games. How the Bears respond after the blowout loss to Detroit could set a tone.
Verdict: Still a Long Road Ahead
At this early point, the 2025 Bears season feels like one of transition more than breakthrough. They have pieces, a lot of promise, and reasons for optimism — but also serious work to do. The defense is leaky, injuries hurting depth, and they’re off to a rough start in the standings.