Chicago Bears Shift Focus To Senior Bowl Scouting After Breakout Playoff Campaign
The Chicago Bears have officially commenced their 2026 offseason preparations, with head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles leading a contingent of staff members in Mobile, Alabama, for the Senior Bowl this week. Following a remarkable turnaround during the 2025 season, where the team finished 11-6 and captured the NFC North title, the organization is now tasked with identifying the next wave of talent to sustain their competitive window. Under Johnson’s first-year leadership, the Bears secured their first postseason victory since 2010 by defeating the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round, though the season concluded with a 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional playoffs.
Despite the optimism surrounding the franchise and the sentiment that “anything is possible,” the front office faces distinct challenges in the coming months. Financial constraints loom large, with projections indicating the team is currently over the salary cap, a reality that may force the release of key veteran contributors to ensure compliance. Additionally, the transition from a surprise contender to a consistent powerhouse often proves difficult; Johnson noted during his end-of-season address that the team is “starting from scratch” and cannot assume last year’s momentum will automatically carry over.
The Senior Bowl evaluation period represents a critical step for General Manager Ryan Poles, who must navigate limited fiscal flexibility by hitting on draft picks. The collaboration between the scouting department and Johnson’s coaching staff in Mobile suggests a unified effort to address roster depth, particularly in support of quarterback Caleb Williams, who showed significant growth throughout the 2025 campaign. As the offseason unfolds, the Bears must balance their championship aspirations with the pragmatic hurdles of roster management and salary cap navigation.
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