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Yahoo Sports1 min read
Sports
Thanks to Caleb Williams, the Bears are the NFL’s new test dummy for oversaturation
TL;DR
The Chicago Bears are set to become a marquee attraction in the NFL, driven by Caleb Williams' standout performance and Ben Johnson's appeal. This shift marks a significant change from their previous status as a perennial bottom-feeder.
Key points
- Caleb Williams' performance has boosted the Bears' popularity
- Bears will play on Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2026
- The Bears are now a marquee attraction in the NFL
- Decades of futility have changed with recent success
- The Bears are seen as a potential ratings powerhouse
Chicago BearsCaleb WilliamsDetroit LionsGreen Bay Packers
The NFL is ready to make the Chicago Bears one of its marquee attractions again.
And understandably so, after a renaissance 2025 season marked by Caleb Williams' heroics and Ben Johnson's magnetic charisma. They are a hot ticket. Through the NFL's leaked-out schedule release, the Bears are a centerpiece, one of the league's hopeful tools to sell the professional game to the widest possible audience.
To be clear, that is not normal for the Bears' customary standards. Chicago is not used to this sort of mantle. Decades of futility have dampened local expectations as the Bears have turned into a perennial bottom-feeder. No one takes them seriously. They are supposed to be an afterthought at best and a punchline at worst, not a thrilling entity that receives top billing.
But the Bears are popular. That makes them an untapped well of potential attention and ratings galore. A cornerstone-of-the-league Bears team is one of the NFL's modern white whales, a voyage that hasn't really seemed realistic most seasons. It's pretty hard to promote a mediocre team, after all, let alone to interrogate any questions about whether that effort is worth the trouble. That's precisely why the Chicago will play both on Thanksgiving Day on the road against the NFC North rival Detroit Lions and on Christmas Day play host to the organization's classic antagonist, the Green Bay Packers.
Those are two holiday special slots usually reserved for the NFL's cream of the crop. You know, the teams showcasing some of the most entertaining football, the teams that will have every last drop of spectacle wrung out of them like a wet dish rag.
Q&A
How did Caleb Williams influence the Chicago Bears' popularity in the NFL?
Caleb Williams' impressive performance during the 2025 season has helped elevate the Chicago Bears' status, making them a focal point in the NFL.
What notable games are scheduled for the Chicago Bears in 2026?
In 2026, the Chicago Bears will play on Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions and host the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day.
Why are the Chicago Bears considered a potential ratings powerhouse for the NFL?
The Bears' newfound popularity and potential for high ratings stem from their recent success and the appeal of star players like Caleb Williams.
What has changed in the Chicago Bears' status within the NFL?
The Bears have transitioned from being seen as a perennial bottom-feeder to a team with significant marketability and excitement, thanks to recent performances.
