LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The confetti has been swept from Soldier Field, and the “King of the North” banners are flying high, but the hangover from the 2025 NFC North championship party needs to clear fast. General Manager Ryan Poles didn’t just hit a home run last offseason; he knocked the cover off the ball. Bringing in head coach Ben Johnson and swinging the trade for All-Pro guard Joe Thuney turned a hopeful roster into a division buzzsaw.
But here is the cold reality facing Halas Hall: The expectations have shifted from “hopeful” to “Super Bowl or Bust.” Caleb Williams is entering Year 3 with an MVP-caliber ceiling, and the window is wide open. A regression in 2026 wouldn’t just be disappointing; it would put Poles squarely on the hot seat.
With the NFL Scouting Combine looming in Indianapolis and free agency rumors already swirling, Poles has to navigate a salary cap minefield. The books aren’t a disaster, but they aren’t pristine. One wrong move could slam the window shut.
Here are the four catastrophic mistakes the Bears brass must avoid to keep the momentum rolling.
1. Taking the Maxx Crosby Bait
Let’s rip the bandage off: Maxx Crosby is a monster. He’s a one-man wrecking crew who would instantly become the best pass rusher to wear navy and orange since Khalil Mack tore through the league in 2018. The rumors linking the Raiders’ star to Chicago are loud, and the temptation is real.
Poles has to ignore it.
The cost to pry Crosby out of Vegas starts at two first-round picks and likely includes a starting-caliber player. That is a “pushing all the chips in” move you make when your window is closing, not when it just cracked open. With Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson locked in, Chicago is built to contend for the next decade, not just the next 10 months. Mortgaging the future draft capital now—especially when the team needs cheap, young talent to offset rising veteran contracts—is a panic move the Bears don’t need to make.
2. The Cap Casualty Trap: Kmet and Edmunds
The calculators are out, and the math is seductive. Cutting linebacker Tremaine Edmunds would free up roughly $15 million in cap space. Parting ways with tight end Cole Kmet would open up another $8.4 million. On a spreadsheet, these moves look like easy flexibility.
On the field? They are locker room poison.
Edmunds was playing at an All-Pro level before his Week 11 injury derailed his 2025 campaign. He isn’t just a linebacker; he’s the quarterback of the defense and a captain who sets the tone. You don’t cut your defensive heartbeat to save cash.
The same goes for Kmet. He’s the safety blanket for Williams and a glue guy in the locker room. While the savings are tempting, the cost of replacing their production and leadership exceeds the financial benefit. Keep the core intact.
“You don’t win games with a calculator. You win them with guys who have been in the fire. We built something special last year, and we aren’t trying to tear it down for loose change.”
— Anonymous Bears Veteran, via Halas Hall sources
3. Ignoring the Trenches (Again)
Last year, Poles attacked the offensive line with a vengeance, and the Joe Thuney trade was the crown jewel. The result? Caleb Williams stayed upright, and the offense hummed. Now, the defensive line demands the same obsession.
This doesn’t mean trading the farm for Crosby (see point #1), but it does mean the defensive front must be Priority Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie. Whether it’s drafting a disruptive 3-technique or signing a hungry veteran edge setter, the Bears cannot leave the draft without significant reinforcements here. If Poles spends his top assets on a luxury receiver or a flashy corner while the D-line stagnates, the 2026 season is over before it starts.
4. Chasing Kenneth Walker III
The rumor mill loves a big name, and Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III is the flavor of the month. Yes, he was the Super Bowl MVP. Yes, he runs like a runaway train. But signing him would be a solution in search of a problem.
D’Andre Swift just posted the best season of his career, silencing critics who said he couldn’t handle the load. Behind him, sophomore Kyle Monangai—the 7th-round gem from the 2025 draft—showed enough flash to prove he belongs in the rotation. The Bears have a potent, cost-effective backfield committee entering the final year of Swift’s deal. Blowing precious cap space on a luxury running back signing is how good teams become mediocre.
NHANFL Verdict
Ryan Poles has earned the trust of the city, but the NFL stands for “Not For Long.” If he stays disciplined, keeps his core leaders, and fixes the defensive line without mortgaging the future, the Bears aren’t just repeating as North champs—they are booking flights to the Super Bowl.
