16 different Chicago Bears players are making noise in the latest round of voting for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games.
It’s been a long time since the Chicago Bears were the most talked-about team in football. But in 2025, that’s exactly where they stand.
At 9–3 and holding the NFC’s No. 1 seed entering December, Chicago is the talk of the league — and with good reason.
First-year head coach Ben Johnson has transformed one of the NFL’s most desperate franchises in just 10 months. He’s changed the culture, elevated the roster, unlocked the quarterback, and turned the Bears into playoff contenders. It’s the kind of impact that makes someone the most popular man in a city — and the kind that wins Coach of the Year awards.
But inside Halas Hall, the focus is simple. Keep winning. Make the playoffs. Push for the NFC North. And maybe even make some noise in January.
The 2025 season has been unpredictable, with several usual contenders falling back and the NFL landscape more wide-open than ever. So why couldn’t the Bears do damage? They’ve got locker-room buy-in, a coaching staff pushing all the right buttons, and a roster full of players having the best seasons of their careers.
The offensive line just bullied the defending champion Eagles on national TV. The defense leads the NFL in turnovers and turnover margin. And Caleb Williams, a second-year quarterback, is leading the league in fourth-quarter comebacks.
Those kinds of things get noticed — even by casual fans — and the respect is now reflected in the early voting for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games.
Voting opened November 27 and closes on December 15. And in the initial returns, the Bears are making serious noise.
16 different Chicago Bears players rank among the top 10 vote-getters at their positions.
Safety Kevin Byard, guard Joe Thuney, and center Drew Dalman currently lead all NFC players at their respective spots.
Byard’s six interceptions pace the league and anchor Chicago’s turnover-hungry defense. Thuney and Dalman, both offseason additions, have completely changed the interior offensive line. Caleb Williams is taking far fewer sacks in Year 2, and the run game has become the offense’s identity — all starting with the big men up front.
Right tackle Darnell Wright, arguably Chicago’s best lineman, sits fourth among offensive tackles, while right guard Jonah Jackson also cracked the top 10. The three players ahead of Wright — Penei Sewell, Trent Williams, and Tristan Wirfs — all reside in the NFC.
On defense, corner Nahshon Wright is one of the league’s biggest surprises. He ranks second among NFC corners despite not being projected as a starter entering the season. With injuries to Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, and Kyler Gordon, Wright was forced into a major role — and he’s responded with five interceptions and a forced fumble while playing on a one-year contract. Like Byard, he’s been central to Chicago’s defensive identity.
Quarterback Caleb Williams sits seventh among all quarterbacks in voting — a testament to his clutch play and Chicago’s national relevance.
The Pro Bowl may not carry the same weight it once did, but the recognition still matters to the players. It’s a benchmark on a résumé forever. And after years of irrelevance, it’s refreshing to see Chicago not only respected nationally but embraced by fans across the league.
For the first time in a long time, the Bears have household names beyond the quarterback. They have stars on both sides of the ball. They have a team the league is talking about again.
And if the early voting is any indication, a whole lot of Bears are about to have that recognition stamped onto their careers this season.