Enjoy This Bears Fans

[adam]

Please take all of this in. This is not something we as Bears fans get to experience very much. A 5-win November, 5 straight wins, 9 out of 10.  Guaranteed a winning record for only the 4th time in the last 17 years. The list goes on and on.

The Bears have the #1 Rushing Offense (by 200 yards) without a running QB, and lead the league in Takeaways (by 6) on defense. 

Whatever happens the rest of the way, I think the foundation has been set for some sustained success. 

 

I know there have been some disagreements on this board over the years, which is nearing its 20-year anniversary, but we need to keep the personal attacks and demeaning replies for the other team's fanbases, not our own.

If you don't agree with someone's post, that's fine, tell them why you disagree. It doesn't need to escalate to anything more than that. You can also just ignore them, or even mute them if you don't like what they are posting. 

Let's enjoy this success together! #BearDown

[Stinger226]

15 minutes ago, adam said:

Please take all of this in. This is not something we as Bears fans get to experience very much. A 5-win November, 5 straight wins, 9 out of 10.  Guaranteed a winning record for only the 4th time in the last 17 years. The list goes on and on.

The Bears have the #1 Rushing Offense (by 200 yards) without a running QB, and lead the league in Takeaways (by 6) on defense. 

Whatever happens the rest of the way, I think the foundation has been set for some sustained success. 

 

I know there have been some disagreements on this board over the years, which is nearing its 20-year anniversary, but we need to keep the personal attacks and demeaning replies for the other team's fanbases, not our own.

If you don't agree with someone's post, that's fine, tell them why you disagree. It doesn't need to escalate to anything more than that. You can also just ignore them, or even mute them if you don't like what they are posting. 

Let's enjoy this success together! #BearDown

No wiser words have been spoken. Stats are black and white , opinions are always the grey area of conversation. 

[Mongo3451]

It's not Sunday, I don't need preaching because of one person.

[Bears4Ever_34]

It's always fun to be a fan of a team during the period when they are starting to become good. The Bears so obviously got it right at head coach. Ben Johnson is a superstar as I said yesterday.

Up until last night, you were just hoping they could get in the playoffs and get some experience, but after that victory, I do think it's fair to start dreaming bigger.

That said, the quarterback continues to be the weak link to this team. It's easy for some people to sweep his poor play under the rug when they win, but the regression throwing the football has been too glaring for me to ignore. I honestly don't know how it's possible to be so inaccurate when you have the #1 run game in the NFL and the best play caller who schemes up more open receivers than anybody.

I'm just hoping there's an Eli Manning-like switch that gets flipped at some point here real soon before this playoff run, because if that happens, I think a Superbowl is possible this year.

[adam]

33 minutes ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

It's always fun to be a fan of a team during the period when they are starting to become good. The Bears so obviously got it right at head coach. Ben Johnson is a superstar as I said yesterday.

Up until last night, you were just hoping they could get in the playoffs and get some experience, but after that victory, I do think it's fair to start dreaming bigger.

That said, the quarterback continues to be the weak link to this team. It's easy for some people to sweep his poor play under the rug when they win, but the regression throwing the football has been too glaring for me to ignore. I honestly don't know how it's possible to be so inaccurate when you have the #1 run game in the NFL and the best play caller who schemes up more open receivers than anybody.

I'm just hoping there's an Eli Manning-like switch that gets flipped at some point here real soon before this playoff run, because if that happens, I think a Superbowl is possible this year.

I have to give credit where credit is due, and I was wrong on Poles. I didn't see the immediate returns on investment, and highlighted too many of the misses, but when you are getting starter level production from multiple rookies and 2nd year players, the future is bright. Monangai, Loveland, Trapilo, and Burden were non-factors early on in the season and are now key contributors as rookies. 

Wright just dominated the guy I thought they should draft in Carter. 

He FINALLY fixed the O-Line, which after hiring Ben Johnson, may be his next best achievement. They are a top 3 unit in the NFL and with a few more games for Trapilo, may end up being #1. What a turn around. 

[BearFan PHX]

2 hours ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

It's always fun to be a fan of a team during the period when they are starting to become good. The Bears so obviously got it right at head coach. Ben Johnson is a superstar as I said yesterday.

Up until last night, you were just hoping they could get in the playoffs and get some experience, but after that victory, I do think it's fair to start dreaming bigger.

Im right with you.
 

2 hours ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

That said, the quarterback continues to be the weak link to this team. It's easy for some people to sweep his poor play under the rug when they win, but the regression throwing the football has been too glaring for me to ignore. I honestly don't know how it's possible to be so inaccurate when you have the #1 run game in the NFL and the best play caller who schemes up more open receivers than anybody.

I dunno, in some ways Caleb is the best player on the team. That's not to say that I dont see the accuracy issues too. I do. But I think most of it stems from footwork, and i think he is still working on that. I do see improvement every week. Caleb is not a finished product by any means, and thats been true of most of the great NFL QBs in their 2nd year too. Statistically, he is going to post the best season by a Bears QB ever. But by the eye test, we can all agree there is a lot more work to do. For me, that just points at the ceiling of where we can get to with Caleb being extremely high, if he is playing as poorly as you say, and still putting up these numbers?
 

2 hours ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

'm just hoping there's an Eli Manning-like switch that gets flipped at some point here real soon before this playoff run, because if that happens, I think a Superbowl is possible this year.

I dont know if Im ready to get on the Super Bowl bandwagon just yet, but I cant disagree that it's possible. This team continues to grow and play together.

As for the switch, I think that's just time with BJ, working on footwork etc. I see a bright future ahead for Caleb and our team.

[Stinger226]

9 hours ago, adam said:

I have to give credit where credit is due, and I was wrong on Poles. I didn't see the immediate returns on investment, and highlighted too many of the misses, but when you are getting starter level production from multiple rookies and 2nd year players, the future is bright. Monangai, Loveland, Trapilo, and Burden were non-factors early on in the season and are now key contributors as rookies. 

Wright just dominated the guy I thought they should draft in Carter. 

He FINALLY fixed the O-Line, which after hiring Ben Johnson, may be his next best achievement. They are a top 3 unit in the NFL and with a few more games for Trapilo, may end up being #1. What a turn around. 

Olin called it the best OL in the league, Im running with that evaluation. After some failed seasons, Poles (in his 4th year of his 5 yr plan ) has this roster cooking. We still have a few weaknesses but overall has us a playoff team. Hiring Johnson and drafting Caleb will be his legacy. Sure Caleb has a ways to go but he makes big plays at the end of the game that keeps us winning. That throw to Kmet was his best throw this year .(IMO) Running to the left throwing against your body and floated it to Cole when the original play was a Swift pass for a first down was huge for the win. His ability to escape, runs well, manages the game late in the 4th are huge traits.  His down side of poor efficiency and bad decisions some times are fixable traits. To be at this point in time with our QB only playing mediocre is huge. Once he gets his act together this offense will be averaging in the mid thirties in points. 

[Stinger226]

The national press is starting to get it. 

 

[ASHKUM BEAR]

Ahhh, 1st place in the NFC.  Feels good to see some fruition of Poles taking hold of this team.  Some ugly moves early but he pounced when the Carolina opportunity came and we are not looking back.

[jason]

On 11/29/2025 at 9:22 AM, adam said:

He FINALLY fixed the O-Line, which after hiring Ben Johnson, may be his next best achievement. They are a top 3 unit in the NFL and with a few more games for Trapilo, may end up being #1. What a turn around. 

I’ve only been asking for it since the last Super Bowl. Finally someone did it, and look what happens. Who would have thought? 🙄

[BearFan2000]

On 11/29/2025 at 1:57 PM, BearFan PHX said:

I dunno, in some ways Caleb is the best player on the team. That's not to say that I dont see the accuracy issues too. I do. But I think most of it stems from footwork, and i think he is still working on that. I do see improvement every week. Caleb is not a finished product by any means, and thats been true of most of the great NFL QBs in their 2nd year too. Statistically, he is going to post the best season by a Bears QB ever. But by the eye test, we can all agree there is a lot more work to do. For me, that just points at the ceiling of where we can get to with Caleb being extremely high, if he is playing as poorly as you say, and still putting up these numbers?

This is where I'm at with Caleb.  He's not a finished product yet, but, when you compare him to previous "saviors" we've drafted or brought in.  His ceiling is far higher than any of these guys and he's not reached it yet.  Guys like Fields, Trubiskey, et all. we were always hoping/expecting them to outperforme their ceilings and become something they just weren't capable of.   We look at Caleb and we see the flashes, we see improvement, and we also see room for growth but with him I don't feel the growth we expect is beyond his reach.  He had absolutely horrid coaching his rookie year, and this is year 1 in Johnson's system.  That relationship is growing in real time.  I personally feel more comfortable being patient with Caleb under Johnson than I have for any of our previous QB experiments.  He has that clutch factor that I've not seen in a Bears QB in a long long time.  When he puts it all together and cleans up some of the flaws look out.  

As to the topic of the thread.

I am enjoying taking this in.  The Bears are playing with house money now and well ahead of where I hoped or thought they'd be at this point in Ben's coaching regime.  One thing's for sure he has the locker room united and his players would run through a wall for him.  If this is the foundation for things to come this is a hell of a foundation.  The hardest part to let go are the scars from past coaches hoping this isn't just a mirage. It does feel different.  That win over Philly was very confindence inspiring.  Easily their most complete game and we DOMINATED them.  The game was never as close as the score indicated.  The more we stack wins against better competition the more the players will believe and the more us fans will believe.  

Who would have thought after the 30+ point blowout at the hands of the Lions in week 2 that here in week 13 the Bears would go on to win 9 out of their next 10 games to be the #1 seed in the NFC.  Not this Bears fan for sure.  Nor would I have gone into watching the Eagles game thinking this is a winable game for us.  

Hats off to Dennis Allen.  After the Detroit game I was ready to see him go.  What he has done as the season has progressed and the amount of injuries he's dealt with give me the impression he can get the best out of whoever is avaliable to play.  I've been pleasantly impressed with how our D has performed despite the injuries.

Hats off to Poles as well.  Munungai, Loveland, the work he's done re-tooling the O-Line, the fact that we are seeing depth players hold their own when called on.

Like I said I feel we're playing with house money.  A winning record and a playoff team was at the high end of my expectations this year.  Anything above that is icing on the cake for year 1.

[BearFan PHX]

5 minutes ago, BearFan2000 said:

This is where I'm at with Caleb.  He's not a finished product yet, but, when you compare him to previous "saviors" we've drafted or brought in.  His ceiling is far higher than any of these guys and he's not reached it yet.  Guys like Fields, Trubiskey, et all. we were always hoping/expecting them to outperforme their ceilings and become something they just weren't capable of.   We look at Caleb and we see the flashes, we see improvement, and we also see room for growth but with him I don't feel the growth we expect is beyond his reach.  He had absolutely horrid coaching his rookie year, and this is year 1 in Johnson's system.  That relationship is growing in real time.  I personally feel more comfortable being patient with Caleb under Johnson than I have for any of our previous QB experiments.  He has that clutch factor that I've not seen in a Bears QB in a long long time.  When he puts it all together and cleans up some of the flaws look out.  

As to the topic of the thread.

I am enjoying taking this in.  The Bears are playing with house money now and well ahead of where I hoped or thought they'd be at this point in Ben's coaching regime.  One thing's for sure he has the locker room united and his players would run through a wall for him.  If this is the foundation for things to come this is a hell of a foundation.  The hardest part to let go are the scars from past coaches hoping this isn't just a mirage. It does feel different.  That win over Philly was very confindence inspiring.  Easily their most complete game and we DOMINATED them.  The game was never as close as the score indicated.  The more we stack wins against better competition the more the players will believe and the more us fans will believe.  

Who would have thought after the 30+ point blowout at the hands of the Lions in week 2 that here in week 13 the Bears would go on to win 9 out of their next 10 games to be the #1 seed in the NFC.  Not this Bears fan for sure.  Nor would I have gone into watching the Eagles game thinking this is a winable game for us.  

Hats off to Dennis Allen.  After the Detroit game I was ready to see him go.  What he has done as the season has progressed and the amount of injuries he's dealt with give me the impression he can get the best out of whoever is avaliable to play.  I've been pleasantly impressed with how our D has performed despite the injuries.

Hats off to Poles as well.  Munungai, Loveland, the work he's done re-tooling the O-Line, the fact that we are seeing depth players hold their own when called on.

Like I said I feel we're playing with house money.  A winning record and a playoff team was at the high end of my expectations this year.  Anything above that is icing on the cake for year 1.

totally agree.

Also, you can see Caleb getting better each week! Where he used to make 3 errors on an incomplete pass, now he might only make 1. Unlike other young QBs who have simplified systems to learn, Caleb is getting the whole thing all at once. It means it takes him a while to choke it all down, but it also means when he masters it, he won't need to go to the 2nd level course, he will have the whole thing.

And all this while showing what a winner he is in close endgames.

Also, the team has progressed from balancing ont he edge of winning or losing, to balancing on the edge of being up one score or two. Thats a huge improvement.

This game against Green Bay will be very telling. If we can stand tow to two with them Ill be a believer, regardless of whether we win or not. But if we can beat them in Lambeau, then it will be real. We know the roster is incomplete - the lack of a pass rush is obvious, and yet this team finds ways to win too.

All I can think is how good we will be next year with added talent on the D line. I wouldnt be upset at all to see the first 2 or even 3 draft picks go to the DL.

Let's Go!

[Mongo3451]

42 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

All I can think is how good we will be next year with added talent on the D line. I wouldnt be upset at all to see the first 2 or even 3 draft picks go to the DL.

💯