The Chicago Bears enter an offseason where the biggest question is how general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson follow their respective successful offseason and in-season plans and, even more, improve for next season.
Their encore has already encountered one hurdle, with a change to the coaching staff.
The Bears also got a head start on roster planning, adding multiple players to their roster on futures contracts, while the NFL had some things to say about the team as well.
Attention on Caleb Williams Leads Bears News Roundup
NFL Sends Message on Caleb Williams After Bears Game
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been lauded for his fourth-quarter heroics against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoffs, sending the game into overtime. Despite the loss, there is a level of confidence in Williams that no other Bears QB has instilled.
“No matter what, Chicago’s got their guy [100 emoji],” the NFL posted on X on January 12, captioning a clip of the Bears’ QB as fans in Soldier Field cheered the team on during the game.
Williams has vowed to come back, having worked on and improved his accuracy and footwork.
Those were two issues that consumed much of the offseason discussion, and it largely proved to be a valid concern. Williams completed 58.1% of his passes on the season, completing 60% of better in two of the Bears’ final 12 games, including the postseason.
If he can indeed overcome those deficiencies, and the Bears find ways to break tendency, the Bears can go a long way toward getting back into the postseason in 2026.
Bears Bring in Multiple Players in Roster Shake-Up
The Bears announced a slew of roster moves, adding players to their group for the offseason on reserve-futures deals.
In total, the Bears signed 14 players.
Defensive backs Dallis Flowers, Dontae Manning, and Gervarrius Owens, defensive linemen Jeremiah Martin and Jonathan Garvin, linebackers Dominique Hampton and Nephi Sewell, long snapper Luke Elkin, offensive lineman Kyle Hergel, tight ends Nikola Kalinic and Stephen Carlson, and wide receivers JP Richardson and Maurice Alexander all agreed to deals.
Alexander, Carlson, Flowers, Kalinic, and Richardson all got into games for the Bears during the regular season. There will certainly be more moves made with free agency in March and the 2026 NFL Draft in April.
Bears Coaching Staff Shake-Up
The Bears’ first change was not one of choice for them, with running backs coach Eric Bieniemy leaving the team and returning to the Kansas City Chiefs. Bieniemy is taking over as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, a role he held from 2018 through 2022.
He replaces former Bears head coach Matt Nagy, whose contract had expired and was a candidate for the Tennessee Titans head coaching vacancy that went to Robert Saleh.
“Reunion: All signs are pointing towards Eric Bieniemy returning to the Chiefs as their offensive coordinator, sources say,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on X on January 19. “With Matt Nagy out of contract and in the head coaching mix, Kansas City plans to bring back Bieniemy, a valued member of Andy Reid’s staff from 2013-22.”
It is unclear who the Bears will turn to to replace Bieniemy, whose impact was undeniable.
The Bears’ run game ranked third in the NFL, one season after it checked in at 25th in the regular campaign. A lot of that was personnel, including a revamped interior offensive line, and Johnson’s scheme and commitment to that phase (the Bears ranked fifth in rushing attempts).
Players frequently commended Bieniemy’s presence in the classroom and on the practice field, starting during the 2024 offseason program.
The Bears must replace that kind of leadership and chemistry as much as anything.
