The Chicago Bears climbed to the top of the NFC North last season, but one team they weren’t able to get the best of was the Detroit Lions. The Lions took both meetings against the Bears last season, pounding them in a Week 2 contest in Detroit and stealing a Week 18 showdown in Chicago. If the Bears want to defend their division title, they’ll have to find a way to get the best of Detroit next fall.
The Bears have taken steps in that regard, running back an offense that ranked ninth with 25.9 points per game and tweaking a defense that led the league in interceptions and turnover rate. But part of their job could be helped out by the Lions, who have had a quiet but intriguing offseason.
Of the moves they made, the ones at safety are the most glaring, and it could lead to the Lions taking a step back when they meet the Bears again during the 2026 season.
Bears Could Find Lions’ Safety Situation Ripe for Picking in 2026
Detroit's mess at safety can be traced back to last fall. They had one of the best duos going in football with Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, but things fell apart when Joseph aggravated a knee injury during a Week 6 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. While the Lions held out hope, Joseph never returned, and their problems got worse when Branch tore his Achilles tendon during a Week 14 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper filled in admirably due to the injuries. While they return, the Lions are clearly concerned about Branch and Joseph’s availability following their additions in free agency.
Detroit went out and added Christian Izien in free agency, but while he believes he’s a starter, his overall grade and snap count have declined in each of the past three seasons, according to Pro Football Focus. Chuck Clark was another addition to the secondary, but while he has 80 games of starting experience, he had just five and was mostly a reserve for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season.
The Lions may be more positive about Joseph’s knee than they’re letting on after calling it a chronic condition; that possibility can't and shouldn't be ruled out. But Detroit will likely be without Branch for most of the upcoming season as he returns to form from his Achilles injury. Missing two safeties is bad for any team, but it could be a particular problem for a team that has to face the Bears twice.
Chicago lost a key piece of its offense in DJ Moore, but they have two emerging playmakers in Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. Colston Loveland also looked stronger as his rookie season progressed, and Kalif Raymond is a downfield threat who defected from Detroit in free agency.
With the possibility that the Bears could add another receiver in this year’s draft, they’ll have the personnel to attack the Lions deep and possibly get the upper hand when the two division foes clash this fall.