Bear Digest

2025 NFL Power Rankings: Chicago Bears see slight jump after Draft

Despite several offseason improvements, including a cluster of highly-touted rookies in the 2025 Draft, the Chicago Bears only made a modest jump in the latest NFL power rankings.

Bryan Perez

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Chicago Bears fans were all smiles after the 2025 NFL Draft, especially with how positive the reviews have been for GM Ryan Poles' eight-player haul.

Headlined by playmakers Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III, the Bears added explosive weapons to an already exciting offense led by second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and new coach Ben Johnson.

With so much excitement surrounding the new-look Chicago Bears, it was assumed their slotting in post-Draft NFL Power Rankings would make a big jump. But that wasn't the case. At least, not in ESPN's latest league-wide breakdown.

Instead, the Bears jumped only one spot, from No. 22 to No. 21.

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson answers questions
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"During free agency, the Bears flipped their interior offensive line in one week by trading for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and spending big to land center Drew Dalman," ESPN's Courtney Cronin wrote. "They continued to address needs up front in the draft, using the 56th pick on offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo. Now Chicago will experiment with several options regarding who plays at both left and right tackle. The heavy investment is good news for QB Caleb Williams, who was sacked a league-high 68 times as a rookie."

For context, the Bears checked in one spot above the Arizona Cardinals and one spot below the Miami Dolphins.

As for the rest of the NFC North, the Detroit Lions remain one of the NFL's elite teams, ranking No. 4 on ESPN's NFL Power Rankings. The Green Bay Packers are next at No. 8, while the Minnesota Vikings are third at No. 9.

It goes to show how big of a divide remains between the Chicago Bears and the rest of the NFC North. A gap of 12 spots separates the Vikings -- the third-highest-ranked team in the division -- from the Bears.

This is familiar territory for this team, and, if we're being honest, it's where they belong to begin the 2025 season. The Bears usually have strong offseasons followed by disappointing regular seasons, which lead to an inherent lack of confidence in the organization. So, until Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams prove on the grass that they can lead this franchise to meaningful wins, they'll continue beginning each year in this tier of teams.

The 2025 NFL season does feel different, though. The Bears have legitimate leadership and legitimate talent. Now, they just need legitimate wins.

Chicago Bears fans hold up a sign before the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft
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Bryan Perez
BRYAN PEREZ

Bryan Perez founded and operated Bears Talk, a Chicago sports blog. Prior to that, he covered the Bears for USA Today’s Bears Wire and NBC Sports Chicago. In addition to his Chicago Bears coverage, Perez is a respected member of NFL Draft media and was a past winner of The Huddle's Mock Draft competition. Bryan's past life includes time as a Northeast scout for the CFL's Ottawa Redblacks.

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