The Chicago Bears find themselves in an advantageous position heading into the NFL Combine, but there are still plenty of questions to answer.
The Bears reached the postseason for the first time since 2020 and won a division title for the first time since 2018, and as a result the team won’t be picking until late in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft.
A large part of the credit for that turnaround goes to head coach Ben Johnson, who will enter his second year looking to build upon the successes of a season that saw the team take leaps and bounds forward.
That included an offense that was one of the best in team history, bolstered by the successes of second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, whose development was entrusted to Johnson when he took the reins last winter.
Both Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles are expected to address the media on Tuesday in Indianapolis, laying out their vision for what will likely be an important offseason as the team looks to take the leap from surprise playoff squad to legitimate Super Bowl contender.
High atop the topics that will likely be discussed by Johnson and Poles will be Williams’ development, which saw plenty of heroic performances but also some growing pains within a new offense, with his completion percentage a potential concern even as he made great strides in avoiding sacks and in racking up touchdown passes on explosive plays.
The team’s plans at tight end will also likely be discussed, with Colston Loveland blossoming into a weapon and questions surrounding whether the team will keep Cole Kmet heading into the new season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bears will likely spend plenty of draft capital bolstering their pass rush, one of the worst in the NFL last season, and in continuing to build their linebacker corps under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
Outside of on-the-field challenges, the Bears’ brass will undoubtedly be asked about the status of new stadium negotiations, with those talks playing out extremely publicly as Indiana has leapt into the fray in aiming to convince the team to build a stadium in Hammond.
Arlington Heights, the site where the Bears own the land formerly occupied by the Arlington International Racecourse, is still very much in the running, with Illinois officials seeking to keep the team within the state it has called home since the very beginnings of the franchise in 1920.
A decision on that stadium could be forthcoming soon, as the Indiana legislature adjourns its current session at the end of the week and as they near passage of a bill aimed at luring the Bears across the border. Illinois officials are trying to put together a package to entice the team to stay in the state, though no bill has yet been introduced in the legislature for that purpose.
Through it all, the team will be looking to build upon the successes of 2025, and that will all begin with the Combine, which gets underway in earnest on Wednesday.
Hence then, the article about chicago bears nfl combine to get underway with ben johnson ryan poles speaking was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Chicago Bears' NFL Combine to get underway with Ben Johnson, Ryan Poles speaking )
Also on site :