Caleb Williams, Bears capture attention of NFL analyst before 2026 season

Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears went from being a laughingstock in the NFL to a Super Bowl contender in just one season, and that's caught the attention of people covering the NFL. 

It's the kind of comeback that any struggling NFL team would like to see happen, but rarely does. But Johnson is an offensive-minded coach with a strong vision and the discipline to carry out that vision, and it's showing with the Bears.

Now, Caleb Williams and the Bears are being called one of the most entertaining teams to watch for 2026. Longtime Bears fans who have stuck through this franchise even during the worst times are going to have more company in the cheering section.

Bears standout is getting noticed in the NFL

In a feature for USA Today on Friday, Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz listed every NFL team from most to least entertaining. He put Johnson and the Bears at No. 5 on the tally. It's also the highest of any NFC North team.

"With an NFL-record seven of their wins coming via comebacks after trailing in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter, the Bears might have been without peer as the NFL's most exciting team in 2025," Middlehurst-Schwartz said.

He added: "A regression is to be expected on several fronts — including a league-leading 33 takeaways — but Chicago should remain must-watch with Ben Johnson calling plays and Caleb Williams executing them. Star turns could be ahead for tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden II in their second season."

It's certainly the case that Burden and Loveland could have breakout seasons on top of Williams continuing on his upward trajectory. Get your popcorn out, Bears fans, because it could be an exciting season.