Looking ahead to the Chicago Bears' 2026 season, it is fun to consider what awards star players might reasonably earn in the year ahead. While the ultimate goal remains a Super Bowl run, accolades are fun for players and fans alike as it serves as confirmation of accomplishments and signal a level of league-wide respect that comes with winning one of the year's top honors.
With this in mind, let's look at the four Bears players most likely to earn one of these honors, starting with a quarterback who is obviously going to be in the conversation when it comes to the league's most valuable award.
1. Caleb Williams- MVP
Year two in Ben Johnson's offense, and expectations are understandably incredibly high for one of the league's most talented quarterbacks. Williams has the needed playmakers to make an MVP run and has shown a tendency to embrace the type of late-game magic that is going to garner the attention of voters. Add in the ability of Williams as a runner, and there is a great chance that the season's ending numbers are far too impressive to deny.
The one counter or potential roadblock here is pointing out Johnson's tendency to lean on the run game. As elite of a talent as Williams might be, if Chicago's run game is rolling as expected, there is a chance the needed reps to put up MVP-level numbers simply aren't there. Still, the talent of Williams and offense of Johnson make MVP possibilities undeniably obvious.
2. Luther Burden- Most Improved Player
A year ago, it was Burden expected to be the team's second option at the position long-term. However, we are now starting to see some concerns with Rome Odunze and the level of consistency the pass catcher can provide. The talent remains elite, but it wouldn't be at all surprising to see Burden take the leap and earn this title. A season ago, the receiver offered 652 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Doubling both of these numbers is a clear possibility based on Burden's ability to hurt the defense deep and the departure of DJ Moore. Burden is being set up as the primary weapon at the position, and Chicago cannot deny the level of excitement around the second-year pass catcher.
3. Joe Thuney- Protector of the Year
This is far from a hot take when you consider that Thuney is the defending champion of this award and has a great chance to repeat. Quietly, one of the biggest trade steals over the last handful of seasons was Chicago's ability to add Thuney despite the guard being a part of a Kansas City Chiefs roster coming off a Super Bowl appearance.
Thuney was viewed as replaceable, and the Chiefs made a rare mistake that that the Bears have greatly benefited from. It is undeniable the level of production and elite stability that Thuney brings to Johnson's offense. It is hard to see this changing anytime soon.
4. Montez Sweat- Defensive Player of the Year
Of the four award possibilities, this is the longest shot based simply on the presence of Myles Garrett on a loaded Los Angeles Rams defense. Still, Sweat is an undeniably talented pass rusher and is more than capable of going on a run that puts the defender in the conversation as the league's most talented defender in 2026.
It will be interesting to watch how Sweat handles high expectations and whether or not it sets up the franchise for an elite run from the talented pass rusher.
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