Year 1 for head coach Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears was a significant success. The former offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions took over a team that had not experienced a winning season since 2018 and had only two seasons with double-digit wins since 2011.
In 2025, Johnson guided the Bears to an impressive 11-6 record, winning the NFC North and securing a spot in the NFL playoffs. In the wild-card round, the Bears faced their divisional rival, the Green Bay Packers, and won the game 31-27. However, their playoff run came to an end in the divisional round, where they lost to the Los Angeles Rams 20-17 in overtime.
The team's defense was a notable weakness this season. The Bears ranked No. 29 in total yards allowed, No. 22 in passing yards allowed, No. 27 in rushing yards allowed and No. 23 in points allowed. Additionally, they tied for No. 22 in total sacks, recording only 35 for the season. This is why it would be a significant boost if Fox Sports reporter Greg Auman's prediction materializes and Chicago manages to acquire Trey Hendrickson from the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency. The veteran defensive end has accumulated 81 sacks in his career.
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"Hendrickson, 31, doesn't have the luster he had a year ago. Instead of coming off back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons and four straight Pro Bowls, he's now coming off core muscle surgery in December that limited him to four sacks in seven games in 2025," Auman wrote. "He got a one-year, $29 million deal from the Bengals last year, but isn't likely to draw as much this time around. ESPN has him as the league's No. 1 overall free agent, but will he get more than one year guaranteed, and at much more than $20 million a year? He needs 19 sacks to reach 100 for his career and could easily get that in two more healthy seasons."
The immediate ripple effect of adding Hendrickson would be felt across every level of Chicago’s defense. The Bears lacked a consistent edge presence capable of closing games. Hendrickson’s career 81 sacks would instantly elevate a pass rush that struggled to generate pressure without heavy blitzing. That kind of addition could also improve a secondary that was often exposed due to extended time in coverage.
Zooming out, the Bears appear ahead of schedule under Johnson. An 11–6 campaign and playoff win marked their most promising season in years, but their overtime loss to the Rams highlighted the fine margins separating playoff teams from championship contenders. Historically, teams that make a Year 1 leap under a new head coach often prioritize defensive reinforcements the following offseason to balance roster construction. If Hendrickson can return to full health following core muscle surgery, even 10–12 sacks would represent a substantial swing in close games.
Looking ahead, Chicago enters the offseason positioned as an aggressive buyer with momentum on its side. Free agency will reveal whether the front office is willing to invest heavily in pass-rush help, and if Hendrickson lands in Chicago, expectations will shift quickly in the NFC North. The Bears are scheduled to open the 2026 season this fall with renewed playoff aspirations, and a fortified defense could be the missing piece in turning progress into a deeper postseason run.