With the NFL entering the doldrums of the offseason, it’s time for a fresh take on power rankings.
That’s right, rankings never sleep in the world of online clicks and before you rush to the comments to tell me how pointless power rankings are and how wrong these rankers are, know I’ve already got your click.
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No one can resist a good power rankings debate, especially when it’s based entirely on offseason moves made on paper.
There is nothing better. And no one can tell me otherwise.
Let’s get to the rankings!
The Athletic – Josh Kendall
6. Chicago Bears
Last ranking: 7
Best rookie season: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The first-round safety will immediately slot into a starting role. The 6-foot, 200-pounder has 4.35 40-yard dash speed and can play over the top or in the run game. Defensive Rookie of the Year votes are incoming, and the Bears need them.
CBS Sports – Pete Prisco
10. Chicago Bears (9) They didn’t address the front seven on defense until the sixth round, which was strange. That means they need big steps forward from some young players.
NFL.com – Eric Edholm
11. Chicago Bears (9) The Bears’ draft class is a mostly-respectable crop on the whole, with some smart targeted additions at need spots. I do question the lack of impact D-line pickups and still wonder about that position group, but overall, Chicago did fairly well. If there’s a mid-round pick to watch, it might be Texas CB Malik Muhammad, who could crack the early rotation. I questioned how the Bears handled the retirement of center Drew Dalman, but Logan Jones was a nice insurance pick to back up the Garrett Bradbury trade. My least-favorite pick? Third-rounder Zavion Thomas, but even he could be a special teams threat and occasional deep-ball artist for Ben Johnson. We’ll see if the Bears can become more of a complete team this season, but they appear headed in the right direction.
Fox Sports – Ralph Vacchiano
9. Chicago Bears (8) They did what they had to do in the draft, finding a starting safety (Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman) and offensive line help (Iowa C Logan Jones). Everything else just adds to the depth of a team ready to rise.
Bleacher Report – Gary Davenport
9. Chicago Bears – The Bears had their best season in years in 2025: 11 wins, an NFC North title and even a victory in the Wild Card Round. Now, it’s all about improving on that season and making a deep playoff run.
Offensively, even after the departure of wide receiver D.J. Moore in a trade with the Buffalo Bills, the Bears have no shortage of weapons. The team also endeavored to improve the offensive line with the additions of veteran center Garrett Bradbury and second-round rookie Ozzy Trapilo.
Defensively, there are some sizable changes, whether it’s a new linebacker in veteran Devin Bush or a pair of new starters at safety in Coby Bryant and rookie first-rounder Dillon Thieneman.
The Bears have the talent to repeat as division champions, but they are the hunted this year instead of the hunter. In the league’s most tightly packed division, there is little margin for error.
What do you think of these rankings? Let us know in the comments.
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