While the 2026 NFL schedule won’t be out until May, the Chicago Bears know who they will be playing at home and on the road next season.

Community meetings were planned across the Chicago area on Sunday after the U.S. military's strikes in Venezuela and capture of the country's president and his wife, following a large downtown protest Saturday.

With a 25-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to Jahdae Walker, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams set the franchise record for passing yards in a single season. Erik Kramer once held the record with 3,838 yards passing. Jay Cutler came close to breaking it.

As overall crime continued to drop in Chicago in 2025, the city ended the year with the fewest homicides in 60 years.

With the rosters as currently constructed and Chicago playing at home, the Bears should probably tap dance over the Lions and feel really good about their playoff shot. But the Bears are only a slight favorite over the Lions, and it's probably because we don't know how much Ben Johnson will play his stars in the final game.

Overall crime continued to drop as the number of murders in Chicago decreased from 587 in 2024 to 416 last year, when scores of federal immigration agents flooded the city and President Trump repeatedly highlighted its crime.

As thousands of people are expected downtown for New Year's Eve celebrations, Mayor Johnson, the Chicago police, and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications are trying to get out ahead of any safety concerns.

Chicago can lock up the NFC’s No. 2 seed Sunday as winter conditions and injuries loom large at Soldier Field.