Can the 2026 Bears Defense Continue Their Hot Streak?
Coming into 2026, many expected the Bears' offense would carry the team. The defense looked like it would be the weakest link once again. Week One told the same story, as Chicago won 59-37. However, Week Two told a different story: the Vikings beat them 9-3. Then, in Week Three, the Bears pulled off a 27-7 upset over the Eagles. The defense has allowed 16 points over the past two weeks, less than half of what they allowed the Panthers. Now, they will look to keep the momentum going against the Jets.
One of the biggest reasons for this is the presence of the rookies. Many thought that the draft class could shape their season. I don’t think people thought it would be as immediate as it has been, though. Dillon Thieneman has had 23 total tackles and an interception so far, and has been near the ball on every play. Malik Muhammad has provided quality pass coverage and looks promising when he is sent on blitzes. These two rookies have not only been the top players in the secondary but also arguably the entire defense.
The rest of the defense has shown true effort. Dennis Allen has them playing hard nearly every snap. He has been able to scheme up ways to generate pressure effectively. Dayo Odeyigbo has looked much closer to the player Chicago expected when they signed him last year. T.J. Edwards has recovered well from his injury, both in pass coverage and against the run. Chicago does not have an elite defense, but they are playing hard. It has been far from perfect, but there are some encouraging signs.
In 2025, Chicago was one of the best teams at forcing turnovers. 2026 is the same story, as they are tied for the fourth most takeaways in the league. In Week One, the Panthers fumbled twice and threw an interception. The Vikings played a mostly clean game, but the Bears were close to another interception. Then, in Week Three, they intercepted the Eagles twice and forced another fumble. The defense relies on a bend-don't-break approach, which has worked well so far this season.
Chicago's defense is still not completely trustworthy. Week One showed how quickly the defense can be exploited. However, over the past few weeks, it has been promising. It is still not an elite unit, but it is doing enough to keep the Bears in games. When Caleb Williams returns, the offense should take the next step to being one of the league's best. If the defense continues this hot streak, Chicago may be able to make noise in the playoffs once again.
