Looking ahead to the Chicago Bears' 2026 season, it is notable that repeating as a division champion has been historically difficult for the franchise. However, the Bears have never had the quarterback talent that Caleb Williams offers and rarely have had a head coach as well-suited to the position as Ben Johnson. With this in mind, it is a fair expectation to view Chicago as clear division favorites and a team that is going to have to be reckoned with by other NFC playoff contenders.
With that said, it is interesting to consider who the biggest threat in the North might be to the Bears, with the Detroit Lions having an undeniably compelling case. One that was bolstered by a recent PFN ranking that listed Detroit's receiver duo as the second-highest-graded pair in the league. Only the Super Bowl-favored Los Angeles Rams with Puka Nucua and Davante Adams rated higher.
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams have an undeniably explosive ability that created a difficult mismatch for the Chicago secondary in the 2025 season and will continue to pose a problem. This isn't to say that the Bears shouldn't be favored or that defensive coordinator Dennis Allen cannot find answers, but rather to point out the reality of a clear advantage the Lions hold and how it helps establish the team as the biggest threat.
Bears Should Have Healthy Level of Respect for Detroit Based on Accomplish Receiving Duo
Chicago has its own roster of impressive playmakers and has an argument that by the end of the 2026 season, they will rank atop any such list. Still, until we see this potential consistently realized, it is fair to give Detroit its due respect, understanding that the franchise did sweep the season series last year, despite struggling and missing the playoffs with a late-season collapse. For the Bears, it simply serves as a reminder of what the franchise already knows.
Ben Johnson unquestionably has the matchup circled, understanding the importance of beating his former team and wiping away concerns when it comes to the Lions being a legitimate division challenger.
This speaks as well to the difficult test that lies ahead for a Chicago secondary that has a new look on the back end, with its safety depth chart replaced from a season ago. Fans can only hope that this helps offset a clear advantage that Detroit holds and allows the Bears to keep a firm grip on a division that remains theirs to lose.
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