Summer Series: Chicago Bears

By: Josh Frey-Sam

Year 1 of the Ben Johnson plan was a smashing success, all things considered. Now, expectations couldn’t be higher for the Chicago Bears.

The Bears will be one of the most coveted teams in fantasy football this season. There are values, sleepers and potential superstars all over the depth chart, not to mention my wide receiver MY GUY is on this team.

I sat down with Bears beat writer Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) of 247 Sports to sift through this very intriguing team.

Below are a few key takeaways I had from our conversation, but if you’d like to hear everything Zack said, listen to the audio above.

Is the expectation for Caleb Williams’ numbers to climb from last year?

Takeaway: Williams tossed for 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns, and rushed for 388 yards and three touchdowns last year, finishing as the QB5 overall. There are two things that Willims has working against him in 2026: one is that Ben Johnson wants to continue to be a run-first offence and allow Williams to manage off of that; and two, Williams is unlikely to be in a similar game script all season. Keep in mind, Williams best games came when the Bears pulled off these incredible comebacks — that’s simply not sustainable.

Williams is being drafted as the QB9 right now, and I think there’s an argument that that is too rich.

Will D’Andre Swift continue to lead the backfield?

Takeaway: Swift is still the clear RB1 in this offence, and don’t be surprised if the Bears deploy a lot of two running sets that include Kyle Monangai. Even then, Ben Johnson will emphasize getting Swift more involved as a pass-catcher.

In a perfect world, the Bears get what they had last year with Swift being a 1,000-yard rusher and Monangai filling in with over 600 yards.

If this holds true, Swift, who finished as the RB15 last season, is one of the best values in drafts, currently going as the RB23 in the fourth round. Monangai is the clear handcuff.

How the heck should we be looking at this passing attack, and who should we target?

Takeaway: Everything is pointing to Luther Burden III. Zack said he would not be shocked if Burden was the Bears’ leader in targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns this season, cementing himself as a star in the league.

Burden became one of the go-to weapons for Williams down the stretch last season, and now, entering his second year in this offence, he is primed to break out.

Meanwhile, Colston Loveland will effectively be the Bears’ WR3 this season, lining up all over the formation. Expect the Bears to be in 13 personnel a lot this season, with Loveland split out wide to create a mismatch.

Sleeper that no one is talking about?

Takeaway: Rookie third-round WR Zavion Thomas, LSU. An absolute burner. Zack said he will likely play more special teams this year, with the occasional touch on offence, but he could be a player that Ben Johnson looks to lean on more in 2027. He has rare juice that will be used on screens and other gadget plays. A potential stash that no one is considering.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh