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Bears Aim High: Competing for NFC North Title in 2025
30 Jul
Summary
- Bears expected to take big leap forward in 2025
- Rest of NFC North facing challenges, Bears made key offseason moves
- Stephen A. Smith says Bears should compete for division title

As the 2025 NFL season approaches, the Chicago Bears are positioning themselves as a team to watch in the NFC North. Under the guidance of new head coach Ben Johnson and second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, the Bears are expected to take a significant leap forward this year.
While the NFC North has traditionally been a gauntlet, the rest of the division is facing its own challenges. The Detroit Lions lost both of their coordinators and two starting offensive linemen, the Minnesota Vikings are handing the reins to an unproven quarterback, and the Green Bay Packers regressed in 2024. In contrast, the Bears have been the offseason darling, hiring Ben Johnson away from the Lions and improving their offensive line to the point that it's ranked fourth-best in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith believes the Bears should be aiming high in 2025, stating that the team's definition of success should be competing for the division title. While this may sound like a lofty goal for a first-time head coach and second-year quarterback, Smith argues that the Bears have the pieces in place to at least be "in the mix" for the NFC North crown.