Unpacking the familiar faces and former teammates heading to Super Bowl LX, even though the Bears won't be playing.
The Super Bowl matchup is set after the Seattle Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Rams 31-27 on Sunday night.
Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots will be facing the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara on Feb. 8. The two franchises previously met in Super Bowl XLIX.
That was the infamous game where the Seahawks decided to pass instead of running the ball on the goal line with Marshawn Lynch, resulting in a game-ending interception.
The Patriots clinched their spot in the Super Bowl after beating the Denver Broncos 10-7 in the AFC Championship.
The Chicago Bears have multiple connections to this season's Super Bowl, even though they aren't going to be playing in it. The Bears made it to the Divisional Round and lost 20-17 to the Rams in overtime.
After taking care of the Green Bay Packers in a 31-27 comeback win, the magic didn't last long.
The Bears forced overtime against the Rams, but things fell apart, and Chicago lost.
Before focusing on how tough their 2026 schedule is, there are plenty of former Bears players and coaches in the Super Bowl.
Here are some of the familiar faces fans may recognize:
DE Khyiris Tonga
Khyiris Tonga was drafted by the Bears in 2021.
He was used as a reserve defensive end during that one season he spent with the team, recording 24 total tackles and one fumble recovery. After one year with Chicago, he joined the Minnesota Vikings and played there from 2022-23.
Tonga spent the 2024 season with the Arizona Cardinals. He found more consistent playing time with the New England Patriots this season, playing in 14 games with eight starts.
OT Lorenz Metz
Lorenz Metz was an undrafted free agent in 2023.
He signed a contract with the Bears in May of that year, before being waived later in July. He joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024 thanks to the NFL's International Player Pathway Program.
Metz was a part of the Buccaneers' practice squad that season.
Metz is now with the Patriots' practice squad.
Return Specialist Velus Jones Jr.
Velus Jones Jr. was drafted by the Bears in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Tennessee.
Jones spent two seasons with Chicago before landing with the Carolina Panthers. Jones had a stint with the New Orleans Saints this season before joining the Seahawks.
He was initially signed to Seattle's practice squad, but has been active multiple times in 2025, including the playoffs.
C Doug Kramer
Doug Kramer didn't have to go very far after his college days at Illinois.
The Bears drafted him in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was with the Bears from 2022-23.
He suffered an injury as a rookie and was placed on the injured reserve. He had another stint on the IR in 2023 and made his debut later that season, but was waived in November.
After being picked up by the Arizona Cardinals a few days later, he was later released. He had a second stint with Chicago in 2023 and was the team's backup center. The Bears re-signed him in 2025 and waived him later that year.
Kramer's been with the Seahawks' practice squad after being waived by the Bears.
Thomas Brown
Brown was on Matt Eberflus' staff as the passing game coordinator in 2024.
He was named the offensive coordinator after Shane Waldron was fired, and then the interim head coach when Eberflus was let go.
He is now the passing game coordinator and tight ends coach for the Patriots.
It looks like Bears fans will know plenty of people who are heading to the Super Bowl.