4 reasons Chicago Bears fans should be thankful in 2025

The Chicago Bears have a lot to be thankful for in 2025. After years of cellar-dwelling in the NFC North, the Bears enter Week 13 in sole possession of first place in the division with what appears to be the pieces in place to make a legitimate playoff run.

However, let’s be honest: Bears Nation didn’t expect Chicago to be this competitive, this quickly. Sure, there was hope and excitement around this team during the offseason. But not even the most die-hard of Bears fans would’ve predicted a Week 13 Black Friday showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles that could play a huge factor in the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.

So, yeah, Chicago Bears fans have a lot to be thankful for.

Here are at least four reasons why that Thanksgiving turkey (and the leftovers throughout the weekend) should taste a little bit better this year for Bears fans.

Ben Johnson is saving the franchise

For years, Bears fans were forced to watch mumbling, bumbling head coaching performances from the likes of Matt Eberflus, Matt Nagy, and John Fox. Thankfully, the streak of failed coaches ends in 2025.

Ben Johnson was considered one of the top NFL head coaching candidates of the last decade, and he’s proved why in just 11 games.

The league’s top offensive mind has the Bears’ scoring offense ranked 8th in the NFL (26.3 points per game). The rushing offense is 2nd in the league, averaging 142.3 yards per game. And even the passing offense ranks in the upper-half of the NFL at No. 12 (227.4 yards per game).

It all adds up to the Chicago Bears having one of the most exciting young offenses, one of the most exciting young quarterbacks, and, most importantly, the most exciting young coach in the NFL.

Caleb Williams is exactly who the Bears hoped he’d be

Caleb Williams had a solid yet unspectacular rookie season in 2024, which normally would be fine for a quarterback transitioning from college to the pros. But for a prospect like Williams, who was dubbed a generational QB early on in his collegiate days and was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 Draft, solid was a bit of a disappointment.

Then came the 2025 offseason, the Ben Johnson hire, and concerns about whether Williams would be a good fit for Johnson’s offense.

So far, so good.

Williams is tracking to break the Chicago Bears’ single-season passing yards record, and if he has a few above-average games over the last few weeks of the season, he’ll become the first Bears quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards.

And here’s the best part: Caleb Williams is only getting better. His ceiling is far from realized, but it feels safe to say we already know he has a very high floor.

Williams is the primary reason why this team is 8-3.

The Chicago Bears’ 2025 rookie class is a good one

The most time-tested method to build a consistent contender in the NFL is through the NFL Draft, and GM Ryan Poles has done a really good job adding quality starters to the roster over the last few years.

Poles added Darnell Wright, Gervon Dexter, and Tyrique Stevenson to the squad in 2023. In 2024, the Bears drafted Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, Tory Taylor, and Austin Booker. And in 2025, Chicago added at least three — and possibly four — critical pieces to Ben Johnson’s offense.

First-round pick Colston Loveland is quickly becoming the most impressive rookie tight end in the NFL. Second-round pick Luther Burden III is now getting WR3 reps and looks like the most explosive receiver on the Bears’ roster. Seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai is the most talented running back on the team. And now, second-round tackle Ozzy Trapilo could be emerging as Chicago’s starting left tackle.

It’s a job well done by the Chicago Bears’ front office.

Meaningful Bears football in December

It’s been a while since Bears fans had a football game to look forward to in December. In fact, in most years, Chicago Bears fans track results in December just to see where the Bears will pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.

In 2025, the NFL Draft is the furthest thing from Bears Nation’s mind.

And that’s an incredible thing.

Indeed, the Chicago Bears are entering the murderer’s row of their schedule, which will tell us a lot about how legitimate their playoff chances are.

Join BearsTalk Social FOR FREE and enjoy a distraction-free zone for Chicago Bears conversation. Sign up for a free BearsTalk account and create your profile today. Bear Down!