Chicago Bears roster receives terrible rank from ESPN

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Chicago Bears roster receives terrible rank from ESPN

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Jul 6, 2026 12:49 PM ET

The Chicago Bears appear to have done enough to keep pace with the NFC North, but general manager Ryan Poles has not been bold enough to put the team in contention to compete for the Super Bowl.

The Bears are replacing DJ Moore and Drew Dalman on offense and several starters on the defensive side of the ball.

Of course, the problem with Chicago’s defense isn’t the numerous members of the secondary they lost along with linebacker Tremaine Edmunds; it’s the starters that are returning to the front seven without elite reinforcements for the pass rush.

Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz, and Seth Walder of ESPN ranked each league team’s roster for the upcoming season. They ranked the Bears at No. 17, arguing the offensive line is the best part of the team. Without a doubt, the defensive line is the biggest weakness.

The Chicago Bears should be ranked higher

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) leaves the field following a game against the Green Bay Packers in an NFC Wild Card Round.

The Bears have a chance to be better than their initial ranking if Caleb Williams improves during his third year as an NFL quarterback. That should happen, and Chicago should remain in the hunt to make the postseason in Ben Johnson’s second season as head coach.

But ESPN had a bizarre ranking for the Bears when compared to its peers in the division. They ranked the Green Bay Packers No. 10 and the Detroit Lions at No. 6.

The Packers and Lions saw major turnover with their rosters on the offensive line. Green Bay lost receivers Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs this offseason along with pass-rusher Rashan Gary.

Frankly, the Bears’ roster should be better than both teams.

The Packers have the best player in the division, edge Micah Parsons, but he isn’t expected to return until later in October or even November. The Lions have the best skilled group on offense.

But the Bears have a solid group of young skilled players, with Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland, and Rome Odunze poised for breakout seasons.

The Bears secondary should be improved from last season if Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson are healthy for Week 1.

Chicago should have a great chance to repeat as NFC North champs, but the team is far away from competing with the Los Angeles Rams for the conference unless the defensive line receives a boost.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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