Chicago Bears: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Bears Start 2026 NFL Week 1 Power Rankings in Elite Company

The 2026 NFL season finally kicks off this week, and the Chicago Bears will take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. While the Bears' defense carries a few issues into this matchup, it's still a game that they should win handily.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Bears rookie Dillon Thieneman reveals Ben Johnson’s instructions for Week 1

Dillon Thieneman and the Chicago Bears are just less than a week away from opening their 2026 regular season. They put in a lot of work during training camp, with Ben Johnson and his staff overseeing all sessions.

Chicago Bears News / EssentiallySports / September 7

'Rest Easy, Uncle Matt': Prayers Pour in From Walter Payton’s Son as Bears Super Bowl Champ Dies at 68

Walter Payton and Matt Suhey were inseparable both on and off the gridiron. The duo led the Chicago Bears to hold the top spot in rushing for three straight seasons from 1984 to 1986 and won the Super Bowl in 1985.

Caleb Williams News / ChiCitySports / September 7

Bears’ Caleb Williams doesn’t hold back on devastating Rams loss

For all the success they had in 2025, the Chicago Bears are trying to start fresh and craft a new journey in 2026. Still, there’s one past memory quarterback Caleb Williams can’t shake.

Indianapolis Colts News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Last 1st-round QB by NFL team' quiz

Can you name the last time every NFL team selected a signal-caller in the first round of the NFL Draft?

The 'Most TD passes in first two seasons' quiz

The 'Last 3-TD playoff game by NFL team' quiz

The 'Last QB debut win by NFL team' quiz

NFL News / Yardbarker

When will every NFL team lose its first game in 2026?

All 32 teams have hope for a perfect 17-0 regular season as another year begins, but the odds aren't in their favor. As the season opens, we predict the first loss for each team in 2026.

Rome Odunze News / ChiCitySports / September 7

Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze’s practice absence stirs Week 1 worry

After trading away DJ Moore, the Chicago Bears are expecting wide receiver Rome Odunze to elevate his game even further. However, he needs to be on the gridiron to truly make an impact.

NFL News / NFLTradeRumors.co / September 7

NFC Notes: Harrison Smith Contract, D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Bears, Vikings

Bears RB D’Andre Swift is entering his second season in HC Ben Johnson‘s offense and said he feels more comfortable and can play even faster now that he has the small details down.

Tyrique Stevenson News / ChiCitySports / September 7

Tyrique Stevenson firmly plants flag in Chicago Bears defense

Entering his contract season, Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson had plenty to prove over the offseason. Throughout training camp, he passed all the tests.

Dennis Allen News / Chicago Bears on SI / September 7

Dennis Allen's Great Bears Secondary Gamble Going Off Contrary to Plan

Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen didn't like all of his pieces after last season, and the Bears will apparently have five different starters against the Carolina Panthers Sunday when the NFL season begins.

Kyle Monangai News / ChiCitySports / September 7

Chicago Bears get good news on Kyle Monangai’s status for Week 1

Throughout the 2026 season, Chicago Bears head coach is trying to unleash the two-headed rushing tandem of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. But that can only happen if both players are healthy.

NFL News / Yardbarker

The significant NFL players returning from injury in 2026

Be it stars returning from late-season injuries to starter-level players who missed most or all of last season, the NFL features a host of rehab odysseys to follow as training camps near.

Ben Johnson News / ChiCitySports / September 7

D’Andre Swift reveals change under Bears coach Ben Johnson

D’Andre Swift and the Chicago Bears are less than a week away from commencing their 2026 regular season. Ben Johnson has prepared the team well as they enter a crucial campaign with a lot to improve.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Last 1st-round QB by NFL team' quiz

The 'NCAA football national champions' quiz

The 'Most points in a game by NBA team' quiz

The 'Most starts by an NFL QB' quiz

Walter Payton News / The Spun / September 7

Walter Payton's Son Crushed By Death Of Chicago Bears Legend

Jarrett Payton, the son of legendary Chicago Bears star Walter Payton, is crushed by the death of another franchise icon. Matt Suhey, a former Chicago Bears fullback who blocked for Walter Payton, passed away at 68 years old.

Chicago Bears News / A to Z Sports / September 7

Bears get the welcome news they were hoping for ahead of Week 1 with key returns but there’s still one hiccup to monitor

The Chicago Bears held a short practice on Monday to kick off the Week 1 preparations, a session that featured both running backs on the field for the first time in weeks.

Chicago Bears News / Chicago Bears on SI / September 7

Bears Reporter Warns Chicago Could Become the NFL's Top Regression Team

All offseason long, the word "regression" has been tossed around quite frequently when it comes to conversations about the Chicago Bears. The Bears had an upstart 2025 season that saw the team go 11-6, win the NFC North and rack up a playoff win for the first time since 2010 in the first year under head coach Ben Johnson.

Chicago Bears News / ChiCitySports / September 7

Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams addresses NFL Draft decision

Caleb Williams entered the NFL in 2024 with a lot of hype surrounding him. He enjoyed a successful run with the USC Trojans, leading the Chicago Bears to select him at No.

Chicago Bears News / ChiCitySports / September 7

Bears’ Caleb Williams MVP noise growing louder before Week 1

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is entering a pivotal season in his second year working under head coach Ben Johnson. But if everything goes to plan, he would end the season considered amongst the best quarterbacks in the league.

Caleb Williams News / A to Z Sports / September 7

Caleb Williams gets hit with tough news involving one of his biggest threats and he won’t have to wait long to face it again

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith is one of the toughest defenders that Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams faced during his first two seasons, and now he’s going to have to face him again in 2026.