The Chicago Bears’ offseason plan is back in the spotlight. It has already drawn strong reviews after a concerted effort to bolster its problem areas. Add in a new head coach in Ben Johnson, and the Bears could be primed for big success, says former NFL scout Bucky Brooks.
Brooks is not alone in his assessment. However, that is exactly where the Bears have entered the danger zone in years past.
Former Scout Forecasts Strong 2025 Season for Bears
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Brooks touted the Bears’ additions along the offensive line in Drew Dalman, Joe Thuney, and Jonah Jackson (and second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo) around second-year QB Caleb Williams, as well as to their pass-catching corps with first-round pick Colston Loveland and their first of three second-rounders, Luther Burden III.
“The Bears should be viewed as a dark-horse contender in 2025. Chicago has beefed up its pass catchers and pass protectors to ensure it can go toe-to-toe with any offensive heavyweight in the league,” Brooks wrote on June 20. “If Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo can add some spice to a defense in desperate need of more playmakers, the Bears could enjoy a worst-to-first rise in the NFC North.
“My expectation for 2025: The table is set for the Bears to make a playoff run this season. They have upgraded their play-caller, playmakers and pass protectors to ensure Williams sparks a turnaround as a sophomore.”
The Bears already had blue-chip players in right tackle Darnell Wright, tight end Cole Kmet, and wide receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.
Running back D’Andre Swift is also a Pro Bowler.
Ex-Scout’s Take a Potentially Ominous Sign
Brooks was not the only one feeling the Chicago’s offseason approach. Bears general manager Ryan Poles notably spent the eighth-most cap dollars in free agency, per Spotrac.
His colleague, Nick Shook also expressed optimism about the Bears.
“The Bears’ rebuild was always going to require multiple seasons,” Shook wrote on June 17. “The 2025 campaign might be the first in which we see notable progress, because of how they strategically sifted through the offseason.”
However, former Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, now of the Pittsburgh Steelers, offered thoughts that stand as a reminder for anyone getting too far out over their skis about the Bears.
“Every year [they say], ‘This is our year. This is our year. We added this guy, and that guy, and we got a new coach from Detroit. Oh, man. Look out. This is it,” Rodgers told a crowd of fans during a liv taping of the “YNK” podcast in May. “And what does every coach that signs with the Bears say? ‘We got to beat the Packers,’ right? Packers don’t give a s***.”