NFL power rankings: Where experts have the Bears entering offseason
The Chicago Bears concluded a disappointing 5-12 season following a 4-2 start. They aren't the worst team that the Bears have ever had, but they didn't even come close to meeting the expectations placed on them during the offseason.
As a result, they have fallen off many people's radar. They started the year seen as a team that could be in the mix for the playoffs, but now most people would have them as one of the 10 worst teams in the NFL.
Now, the focus shifts to an important offseason that included finding the team's next head coach and improving the roster through free agency and the 2025 NFL draft. But before that, here's a look at where Chicago landed among power rankings (including 25th in our power rankings) heading into the offseason.
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 23
Last Week’s Ranking: 24
Author: Eric Edholm
Author’s Take: "Caleb Williams’ often-trying season ended on a high note, as he led a pretty gutsy late drive to take down a playoff-bound Packers team that was playing to win. D.J. Moore’s late fumble (after Keenan Allen’s trick-play INT) felt like the latest gaffe in a season full of them. But credit Williams for making a few massive throws to Rome Odunze and Moore to set up the game-winning field goal. It was a fitting way to come full circle after the Packers blocked a similar try in Chicago earlier this year. Don’t tell Bears fans that beating the Packers doesn’t matter; if nothing else, they’re just sick of losing to them, especially in Green Bay. The Bears have miles to go before they pass the Packers, as a huge offseason looms. But amid all the doom and gloom, the kernels of talent on both sides of the ball make this an attractive destination for the next head coach."
Our Take: A lot of comments about Caleb Williams are going to dominate the conversation throughout the offseason and into next year. The positive spin at the end is what dreams are made of.
NBC Sports (PFT)
Current Ranking: 23
Last Week’s Ranking: 24
Author: Mike Florio
Author’s Take: "The next hire might be the most important one they’ve made in years."
Our Take: The short and sweet comments from Mike Florio will be missed until next season. He is correct about the hire.
Yahoo! Sports
Current Ranking: 25
Last Week’s Ranking: 25
Author: Frank Schwab
Author’s Take: "Winning matters. Coming back to beat the Packers allows the Bears to feel better after a tough season. Caleb Williams told Fox after the game, “That's a good start to the 2025 season,” and that's spot-on. That's more important to building something than a few draft position slots."
Our Take: That is correct. Beating the Green Bay Packers matters to the Bears organization. If they can do that regularly, it probably means that they are a good football team.
FOX Sports
Current Ranking: 25
Last Week’s Ranking: 29
Author: David Helman
Author’s Take: "Can a game in January carry forward to September? That feels like a stretch, but I have to believe it matters for Caleb Williams to finally lead a last-minute, game-winning drive after so much turmoil. We don’t even know who will be coaching the Bears in 2025, but hopefully their young quarterback continues to grow."
Our Take: All that matters is developing Caleb Williams. At this point, everything that the team does should be about protecting him and making sure he can work to the best of his ability. The sacks coming down will help with his development.
The Athletic
Current Ranking: 27
Last Week’s Ranking: 27
Author: Josh Kendall
Author’s Take: "Whether it was No. 1 pick Caleb Williams predicting the Bears wouldn’t be punting much, Tyrique Stevenson taunting fans instead of defending a Hail Mary or former head coach Matt Eberflus’ unwillingness to take responsibility, Chicago’s season was marked by unfulfilled hubris. Williams finished 32nd in EPA per dropback (minus-.05), and the Bears have now missed the playoffs in four straight seasons. Chicago hasn’t won a playoff game in 14 years."
Our Take: That was a pretty harsh ranking and set words following a win over the Packers. It ended a losing streak against them that dated back to 2018 and a losing streak in general that went back to October. Still, everything that Josh Kendall said is correct which is the scary part.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: NFL power rankings: Where experts have the Bears entering offseason