The Chicago Bears are one of the NFL’s founding franchises, and in 2026 they are back in the spotlight. After winning the NFC North in 2025 for the first time since 2018, the Chicago Bears enter Week 7 at 4-2 with a franchise quarterback back from injury, the league’s top rushing attack and a defense that ranks in the top ten for points allowed. This guide brings together the latest Chicago Bears news, the full Chicago Bears schedule, recent Chicago Bears games, Chicago Bears players stats, the latest Chicago Bears rumors and everything you need to know about where to watch Chicago Bears football this season.
All numbers below are current through Week 6 of the 2026 season.
Chicago Bears Team Overview 2026
| Detail | Info |
| Team | Chicago Bears |
| League / Division | NFL / NFC North |
| Founded | 1920 (Decatur Staleys), renamed Bears in 1922 |
| Home Stadium | Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois |
| Training Facility | Halas Hall, Lake Forest, Illinois |
| Head Coach | Ben Johnson (second season) |
| Offensive Coordinator | Press Taylor |
| Defensive Coordinator | Dennis Allen |
| General Manager | Ryan Poles |
| Chairman | George McCaskey |
| Starting Quarterback | Caleb Williams |
| 2026 Record (after Week 6) | 4-2, second in NFC North |
| 2025 Record | 11-6, NFC North champions |
| NFL Championships | 9 (including Super Bowl XX) |
| Colors | Navy and orange |
| Preseason Win Total | 9.5 |
| Preseason Super Bowl Odds | +2500 |
Latest Chicago Bears News
The biggest Chicago Bears news this week is simple: Caleb Williams is back. The third-year quarterback missed three games after suffering a Grade 2 right hamstring strain on a non-contact play in the Week 2 loss to Minnesota. Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum held the fort, and the team went 2-1 in that stretch, but the offense looked different once Williams returned in Atlanta.
Here are the headline stories surrounding the Chicago Bears right now.
Caleb Williams returns and lights up Atlanta. In his first game back, Williams completed his first 12 passes and finished 30 of 36 for 305 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions in a 31-23 road win over the Falcons. The opening drive ended with a 14-yard touchdown pass to second-year tight end Colston Loveland.
Kyler Gordon makes a statement. The slot corner was activated from the physically unable to perform list just before the Falcons game and wasted no time, collecting three sacks and two forced fumbles in his season debut.
D’Andre Swift keeps the ground game rolling. Swift ran for two touchdowns against Atlanta and leads the team with 398 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns through six games.
Injuries pile up at linebacker and running back. Ahead of the Week 7 Thursday night game, linebacker Jack Sanborn (concussion) is out, linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) is doubtful, and running back Kyle Monangai (thumb/toe) has been ruled out.
Safety depth is a concern. Safety Coby Bryant has been sidelined and may not return at any point in 2026, which keeps the secondary on the radar for the front office.
The Packers loss still stings. The Chicago Bears were routed 31-7 in Green Bay in Week 5, committing five turnovers. It remains the lowest point of the season so far, and the response in Atlanta showed the team bounced back quickly.
Chicago Bears Games 2026: Results So Far
The first six Chicago Bears games of 2026 have been a rollercoaster of blowouts, defensive grinds and one ugly division loss.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| 1 | Sun, Sept 13 | at Carolina Panthers | Win | 59-37 |
| 2 | Sun, Sept 20 | vs Minnesota Vikings | Loss | 3-9 |
| 3 | Mon, Sept 28 | vs Philadelphia Eagles | Win | 27-7 |
| 4 | Sun, Oct 4 | vs New York Jets | Win | 23-12 |
| 5 | Sun, Oct 11 | at Green Bay Packers | Loss | 7-31 |
| 6 | Sun, Oct 18 | at Atlanta Falcons | Win | 31-23 |
Week 1 at Carolina (59-37): A statement opener. The offense piled up 552 total yards, including 291 on the ground.
Week 2 vs Minnesota (3-9): A rain-soaked grind in which the offense never found a rhythm, and Williams went down in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury.
Week 3 vs Philadelphia (27-7): With Keenum under center, the defense forced three turnovers and held the Eagles to 248 total yards on Monday Night Football.
Week 4 vs New York Jets (23-12): With Bagent at quarterback, the Chicago Bears gained 492 yards while holding the Jets to just 157.
Week 5 at Green Bay (7-31): Five turnovers and only 246 total yards in a rivalry game to forget.
Week 6 at Atlanta (31-23): Williams returned, Swift scored twice and Gordon wreaked havoc. The Bears led 31-7 before Atlanta made the final score closer.
Chicago Bears vs Patriots: Week 7 Preview
The Chicago Bears host the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football at Soldier Field. Both teams are 4-2, and the game features the top-three picks in the 2024 draft, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, facing off for just the second time in their careers. The Patriots won the first meeting 19-3 when both quarterbacks were rookies, but both teams look completely different now.
Betting snapshot: The Bears are 2.5-point home favorites with a total around 50.5 points. Chicago is 4-2 against the spread this season.
Key matchups to watch:
- Williams against a Patriots defense that will try to take away the deep ball after his 305-yard performance in Atlanta.
- The Chicago Bears rushing attack, ranked first in the NFL in carries and yards, against New England’s front seven.
- A thin Bears linebacker group with Sanborn out and Edwards doubtful, which puts more responsibility on Devin Bush Jr. and Noah Sewell.
- Special teams, where Kalif Raymond has been dangerous as a returner.
Where to Watch Chicago Bears Games
Fans constantly ask where to watch Chicago Bears games, especially now that primetime windows are spread across several platforms. Here is the quick guide for Week 7.
| Detail | Info |
| Game | New England Patriots at Chicago Bears |
| Venue | Soldier Field, Chicago |
| TV / Stream | Prime Video |
| Also Available | NFL+ (mobile), Chicago Bears App |
| Radio | ESPN Chicago Bears Radio Network (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer) |
Kickoff time around the world (Thursday, Oct 22):
| Time Zone | Kickoff |
| Central Time (Chicago) | 7:15 PM |
| Eastern Time | 8:15 PM |
| Pacific Time | 5:15 PM |
| GMT / UTC | 12:15 AM (Friday) |
| India (IST) | 5:45 AM (Friday) |
Where to watch Chicago Bears games for the rest of 2026:
- Thursday games: Prime Video.
- Monday Night Football: ESPN. The Week 8 trip to Seattle is on Monday, Nov 2.
- Sunday Night Football: NBC. The Week 9 home game against Tampa Bay is on Sunday, Nov 8.
- Sunday afternoon games: Local FOX or CBS affiliates depending on the matchup, plus NFL+ for phones and tablets.
- Radio: The Chicago Bears Radio Network on ESPN Chicago, with Spanish-language coverage also available.
- Pre and postgame: Bears Gameday Live and Bears Postgame Live are available on local Chicago TV and the team’s website and app.
Chicago Bears Schedule 2026
The full Chicago Bears schedule for 2026 includes 17 regular season games, a Week 10 bye and a Thanksgiving trip to Detroit. All kickoff times are listed in Eastern Time.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Kickoff (ET) | Result |
| 1 | Sept 13 | Carolina Panthers | Away | 1:00 PM | W 59-37 |
| 2 | Sept 20 | Minnesota Vikings | Home | 1:00 PM | L 3-9 |
| 3 | Sept 28 | Philadelphia Eagles | Home | 8:15 PM | W 27-7 |
| 4 | Oct 4 | New York Jets | Home | 1:00 PM | W 23-12 |
| 5 | Oct 11 | Green Bay Packers | Away | 1:00 PM | L 7-31 |
| 6 | Oct 18 | Atlanta Falcons | Away | 1:00 PM | W 31-23 |
| 7 | Oct 22 | New England Patriots | Home | 8:15 PM | Upcoming |
| 8 | Nov 2 | Seattle Seahawks | Away | 8:15 PM | Upcoming |
| 9 | Nov 8 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Home | 8:20 PM | Upcoming |
| 10 | – | Bye Week | – | – | – |
| 11 | Nov 22 | New Orleans Saints | Home | 1:00 PM | Upcoming |
| 12 | Nov 26 | Detroit Lions | Away | 1:00 PM | Upcoming |
| 13 | Dec 6 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Home | 1:00 PM | Upcoming |
| 14 | Dec 13 | Miami Dolphins | Away | 1:00 PM | Upcoming |
| 15 | Dec 19 | Buffalo Bills | Away | 8:20 PM | Upcoming |
| 16 | Dec 25 | Green Bay Packers | Home | 1:00 PM | Upcoming |
| 17 | Jan 3 | Detroit Lions | Home | 4:25 PM | Upcoming |
| 18 | Jan 10 | Minnesota Vikings | Away | 1:00 PM | Upcoming |
The stretch of November and December is loaded with primetime and rivalry games. Two primetime appearances open November, and the final month includes road trips to Buffalo and Minnesota plus a Christmas Day showdown with Green Bay. Dates and times in the NFL’s flex windows can change late in the season.
Chicago Bears Team Stats 2026
Through six games, the Chicago Bears sit near the top of the league in several key categories, led by a rushing attack that no other team can match.
| Category | Chicago Bears | League Rank |
| Points Per Game | 25.0 | 12th |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 19.8 | 6th |
| Total Yards | 2,330 | 5th |
| Passing Yards | 1,366 | 15th |
| Rushing Yards | 964 | 1st |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 13 | 2nd |
| Yards Per Rush | 4.5 | 11th |
| Third-Down Conversion | 45.5% | 6th |
| Red Zone TD Rate | 50.0% | 22nd |
| Sacks | 17 | – |
| Interceptions | 3 | – |
The defense has been outstanding on third down, allowing opponents to convert only 25.8 percent of the time, good for second in the NFL. The main areas to clean up are turnovers (11 lost), penalties (44 for 342 yards) and finishing drives in the red zone.
Chicago Bears Players Stats 2026
Here is a full breakdown of Chicago Bears players stats through Week 6.
Quarterbacks
| Player | GP | Cmp/Att | Cmp % | Yards | TD | INT | Rating |
| Caleb Williams | 3 | 66/91 | 72.5 | 712 | 3 | 1 | 101.5 |
| Tyson Bagent | 3 | 42/64 | 65.6 | 409 | 0 | 3 | 63.9 |
| Case Keenum | 3 | 35/53 | 66.0 | 355 | 2 | 1 | 89.7 |
Williams has also added 110 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 19 carries. His 72.5 completion percentage is the best mark in the league so far, and he has been sacked nine times in three games.
Rushing Leaders
| Player | Att | Yards | Avg | TD |
| D’Andre Swift | 94 | 398 | 4.2 | 6 |
| Kyle Monangai | 60 | 324 | 5.4 | 3 |
| Caleb Williams | 19 | 110 | 5.8 | 2 |
| Roschon Johnson | 22 | 73 | 3.3 | 1 |
Receiving Leaders
| Player | Targets | Rec | Yards | Avg | TD |
| Luther Burden III | 43 | 31 | 361 | 11.6 | 1 |
| Rome Odunze | 33 | 20 | 312 | 15.6 | 0 |
| Kalif Raymond | 29 | 26 | 244 | 9.4 | 1 |
| Colston Loveland | 30 | 19 | 175 | 9.2 | 1 |
| D’Andre Swift | 22 | 18 | 140 | 7.8 | 0 |
| Cole Kmet | 11 | 7 | 59 | 8.4 | 1 |
Swift leads the team with 538 scrimmage yards, while Burden is the most targeted receiver and a rising star in his second season.
Defensive Leaders
| Player | Position | Tackles | Sacks | TFL | Notable |
| Dillon Thieneman | S | 39 | 1.0 | 2 | 1 INT, 5 PD |
| Devin Bush Jr. | LB | 34 | 1.0 | 5 | 2 fumble recoveries |
| Cameron Lewis | DB | 22 | 0.0 | 0 | – |
| Tyrique Stevenson | CB | 20 | 0.0 | 2 | 2 PD |
| Malik Muhammad | CB | 18 | 1.0 | 1 | 1 INT, 4 PD |
| Austin Booker | DL | 17 | 4.0 | 5 | 1 FF |
| Jaylon Johnson | CB | 17 | 0.0 | 1 | 2 PD, 1 FF |
| Montez Sweat | DL | 7 | 2.0 | 2 | 4 QB hits |
| Dayo Odeyingbo | DL | 9 | 3.0 | 3 | 3 QB hits |
| Kyler Gordon | CB | 4 | 3.0 | 3 | 2 FF (1 game) |
Austin Booker leads the team with 4.0 sacks, while Gordon’s three sacks all came in a single game. As a group, the Chicago Bears have 17 sacks, five forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries.
Key Chicago Bears Players to Watch
Caleb Williams, QB: The face of the franchise. He set a franchise record with 3,942 passing yards in 2025 and has looked sharp since returning from injury. His mobility and off-schedule playmaking remain the engine of the offense.
D’Andre Swift, RB: A durable workhorse who has settled into the Ben Johnson system with a team-high six touchdowns.
Rome Odunze, WR: A big-play threat averaging 15.6 yards per catch, and the primary vertical option in the passing game.
Luther Burden III, WR: The team’s target leader, who has quickly become Williams’ most trusted underneath and run-after-catch weapon.
Colston Loveland, TE: A young matchup nightmare who scored the opening touchdown against Atlanta.
Montez Sweat, DE: The veteran pass rusher the defense is built around, with 2.0 sacks and four quarterback hits in five games.
Jaylon Johnson, CB: The top cover corner on the roster and a leader in the secondary.
Kyler Gordon, CB: Back from injury and already making game-changing plays.
Grady Jarrett, DT: A 33-year-old veteran anchoring the interior of the defensive line.
Chicago Bears Injury Report
| Player | Position | Status | Injury |
| Jack Sanborn | LB | Out | Concussion |
| Kyle Monangai | RB | Out | Thumb/toe |
| T.J. Edwards | LB | Doubtful | Hamstring |
| Coby Bryant | S | Sidelined | May miss season |
Depth at linebacker will be tested against New England, with Noah Sewell expected to take on a larger role.
Chicago Bears Coaching Staff and Front Office
Ben Johnson, the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, is in his second year as head coach and has guided the Chicago Bears to a 4-2 start in 2026 after the NFC North title in 2025. Press Taylor runs the offense using an Erhardt-Perkins scheme, while Dennis Allen oversees a 4-3 base defense. Richard Smith coaches the linebackers and Eric Studesville handles the running backs.
General manager Ryan Poles has been one of the NFL’s most active trade makers since taking over, and his offseason moves, including contract restructures for Joe Thuney, Dayo Odeyingbo and T.J. Edwards that cleared roughly $17 million in cap space, show he is aiming for a deep playoff run.
Chicago Bears Rumors
The Chicago Bears rumors mill is focused on one thing as the trade deadline approaches: help for the defense.
Edge rusher search. League insiders have repeatedly linked Poles to a trade for a top pass rusher to pair with Montez Sweat. The Bears ranked near the bottom of the league in pass-rush win rate in 2025, and while Austin Booker and Dayo Odeyingbo have stepped up, a true difference-maker is still the biggest item on the wish list.
Secondary reinforcements. With Coby Bryant out and the safety group thin, the defensive backfield is another area to monitor. Gordon’s return has eased some of the pressure, but depth remains a talking point.
Cap flexibility. The Chicago Bears have the room to make a move, and Poles has a track record of acting aggressively at the deadline, including the earlier acquisition of Montez Sweat for a second-round pick.
Quarterback depth. Williams is healthy now, but the two-game stretch with Bagent and Keenum showed just how important it is to have reliable backups.
None of these Chicago Bears rumors has been confirmed, so treat them as speculation until a deal is reported by the team.
Chicago Bears 2025 Season Recap
The Chicago Bears finished 11-6 in 2025 under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, winning the NFC North for the first time since 2018 and advancing to the NFC Divisional Round. Williams threw for a franchise-record 3,942 yards and delivered several late-game comebacks that turned him into one of the league’s most exciting young quarterbacks. That success reset expectations in Chicago, and this season’s goal is to win a playoff game, and ultimately make a run at the Super Bowl.
Chicago Bears History and Legacy
Few franchises have a richer history than the Chicago Bears. Founded in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys by A.E. Staley and coached by George Halas, the team moved to Chicago in 1921 and became the Bears in 1922. They have won nine NFL championships, with the most recent coming in Super Bowl XX after the 1985 season, when the famous “46 Defense” crushed the Patriots 46-10.
The franchise is home to legends like Walter Payton, Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, Mike Singletary, Brian Urlacher and Devin Hester, and it has one of the largest collections of Pro Football Hall of Famers of any NFL team. The Bears have played at Soldier Field since 1971, and the McCaskey family has owned the team since George Halas passed it down.
Chicago Bears Prediction for the 2026 Season
The Chicago Bears are legitimate contenders in the NFC. The rushing attack is the best in the league, the defense is holding teams to under 20 points per game, and Williams looks fully healthy. The biggest obstacles are a brutal schedule, turnover problems and an NFC North where Green Bay and Detroit are both dangerous.
Week 7 prediction: Chicago Bears 27, New England Patriots 23. The home team has the edge on the ground and with a rested quarterback, though Drake Maye and the Patriots will keep it close.
Season projection: 11-6 and a return to the playoffs, with a good chance of competing for the division title again.
Chicago Bears FAQs
The Chicago Bears host the New England Patriots on Thursday, October 22, at 7:15 PM CT.
Prime Video streams the game, with NFL+ and the Chicago Bears App also available on mobile devices.
The Chicago Bears are 4-2 after six games, second in the NFC North.
Caleb Williams is the starting quarterback, back after missing three games with a hamstring strain.
Ben Johnson is the head coach, now in his second season with the team.
The Chicago Bears have their bye in Week 10, after the November 8 game against Tampa Bay.
D’Andre Swift leads with 398 yards and six touchdowns through six games.
Reports link the Bears to edge rusher help before the deadline, but nothing has been confirmed.
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