Ten weeks in, the Bears are 6-3 and smack in the middle of the NFC playoff hunt. That alone is a damn miracle if you’ve watched this franchise over the last five years. But now it’s time to separate the hype from the legit when it comes to Pro Bowl voting. Here’s who’s earned it — and who’s still window shopping.
Pro Bowl Locks
Rome Odunze
If you’ve got a Pro Bowl ballot and Odunze isn’t on it, throw it in the trash. The kid’s a certified WR1 now. He’s cooked corners at every level of the field, and his numbers back it up:
- 37 catches
- 559 yards
- 6 touchdowns
- 15.1 yards per reception
- 90.1 PFF grade from outside the numbers
- 78.9% success rate vs. press (87th percentile)
DJ Moore? Love him, but he’s been a ghost compared to Odunze. This offense runs through Rome now, and the fact that he’s doing it with a his draft partner at QB makes it even more impressive. No debate. He’s should be a lock.
Tremaine Edmunds
This dude has four picks through nine games. Four. That ties him for the league lead, not just among linebackers — everyone. Throw in 80 tackles and a sack, and he’s balling out.
- 7+ tackles in 8 of 9 games
- Leads all active LBs in picks since 2018
- Had a two-pick game against Dallas
He’s always been solid, but now he’s flashing big-play juice. That’s the kind of shit that gets you Pro Bowl votes. Slam dunk.
Bubble Boys
Kevin Byard
Byard’s 32 and still making QBs pay. Four interceptions and 47 return yards on those picks. He’s tied with Edmunds and Devin Lloyd for the NFL lead.
Problem is, the NFC safety room is stacked. Kerby Joseph’s a fan favorite, and guys like Xavier McKinney are getting more hype. Byard’s playing at a Pro Bowl level, but whether he makes it depends on who’s voting. If the Bears win 10+ games, he’s got a shot. If they fade? He’s out.
Darnell Wright
He won’t make it, but he should. Wright has been stonewalling defenders all year:
- 82.0 PFF grade (6th among tackles)
- 87.3 run-blocking grade (2nd in NFL)
- Only 1 sack allowed, 6 pressures, 2.1% pressure rate
That’s elite stuff. But offensive linemen need name recognition and national buzz to get votes, and Wright doesn’t have either — yet. Keep an eye on him.
Missed the Cut
Caleb Williams
Let’s be clear: Caleb’s making progress. He’s cut down on mistakes, made smart plays, and kept the Bears in games.
- 2,136 passing yards
- 13 TDs, 4 INTs
- 246 rushing yards, 3 TDs
- 92.2 passer rating
He’s not near the Staffords or the Goffs of the NFC. And Darnold’s somehow turning the clock back. But Caleb? He isn’t ready for the Pro Bowl yet, but if this is his floor, the ceiling’s gonna be fun (No this is not a diss on Caleb — f*cking excited for the kid's future).
Montez Sweat
Five and a half sacks through ten weeks? Not bad, but not good enough. He’s heating up, with a sack in four straight games, but the Pro Bowl edge rusher bar is high.
- 5.5 sacks (18th in NFL)
- 2 forced fumbles
- 4 passes defended
He’s got juice, but to sniff the Pro Bowl, you need 9-10 sacks minimum. Sweat needs to finish strong. If he ends up with 10+, he enters the conversation.
Joe Thuney
Thuney’s been his usual reliable self. But nothing flashy, no dominant metrics, and the guard position in the NFC has beasts ahead of him. He’s doing his job, but this ain’t the year — unless voters throw him in based on name recognition alone. And to be fair, he’s earned that kind of respect.
Others Who Miss the Cut
- D'Andre Swift: Solid. 544 rushing yards, 4 TDs, and 210 receiving yards. But with guys like Jahmyr Gibbs and Jonathan Taylor killing it, Swift’s not cracking that top tier.
- Gervon Dexter Jr.: 3.5 sacks from the interior is nice, but it’s not game-changing.
Final Verdict
Pro Bowl Locks:
- Rome Odunze (WR)
- Tremaine Edmunds (LB)
Bubble Boys:
- Kevin Byard III (FS)
- Darnell Wright (RT)
Missed the Cut:
- Caleb Williams (QB)
- Montez Sweat (DE)
- Joe Thuney (OG)
The Bears are on the upswing. If they finish 10-7 or better, next year’s ballot is gonna be stacked. But for now? Two clear Pro Bowlers and a couple who deserve a second look.
This isn’t a team full of hype merchants. They’ve got legit dogs — and for the first time in a long time, it’s fun as hell to be a Bears fan.
