NFL Scout Believes Chicago Bears Steal The Division

The Chicago Bears face one of the toughest schedules in the NFL this season. Not only do they have to tangle with the AFC North, headlined by Baltimore and Pittsburgh, but also the NFC East, featuring the world champion Eagles and their NFC championship opponent, the Commanders. However, the true obstacle to postseason hopes lies through the NFC North. Fittingly, that might be the biggest obstacle of all. It was undeniably the best division in football last year, featuring three teams that won at least 13 games.

It remains just as daunting on paper, but not everybody buys it. Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog talked to a scout from another team. They feel the Bears can not only make the playoffs but will steal the division, thanks to the other three teams' downgrading.

Area Scout: “Bears. Packers. Lions. Vikings. I just have fewer questions about Chicago right now. I don’t think any of these teams are getting to 13-14 though.”

He's not alone.

Aaron Schatz is the top analytics expert for ESPN. After running simulations for the upcoming season, he thinks the Bears have the second-best odds in the league of going from worst to first in their division.

2. Chicago Bears, NFC North

2024 record: 5-12

Odds of winning division: 14.9% (4th in division)
Odds of making playoffs: 36.1% (10th in NFC)

The Bears finished 22nd in FPI last season, but they're seen as above-average entering the 2025 season. That's because Caleb Williams should improve in his second year under center, and the Bears added a lot of talent on the offensive line to give him better protection.

The Chicago Bears have valid reasons for feeling they can compete.

As the scout said, the rest of the NFC North didn't exactly improve much. Detroit lost both of its coordinators to head coaching jobs and just saw its star center retire. Minnesota will be starting a rookie quarterback coming off a season-ending knee injury. Green Bay didn't get any worse, but they also don't seem any better. They're also starting to deal with Jordan Love's massive contract, which makes their cap situation tough. Remember, the Chicago Bears played each of those teams tough last season. If they're even slightly better now, it isn't a stretch to think they can take down all three en route to their first division title in eight years. That would be a great story.