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Bears Enter 2026 With Record Rest Advantage, New Additions

5/16/2026

30 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Ben Johnson Leads

Ben Johnson leads the Bears into the 2026 NFL season with a net rest differential of +15, the league’s highest since 2002.
Bears will travel third-fewest air miles in 2026 and play six short-rest games against teams not coming off a bye.
Offseason signings added safety Coby Bryant, linebacker Devin Bush, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and 25th-overall pick Dillon Thieneman to replace losses such as wide receiver DJ Moore.

Summary

Allen Boosts Blitz

Dennis Allen raised his blitz rate from 15.8% to 20.1% in 2025, with 20.5% in wins versus 13.9% in losses.
Allen blitzed 28 times on 71 snaps (39%) versus Green Bay and 29 on 78 snaps (37%) versus Los Angeles in the playoffs.
The Bears added hybrid defensive backs Coby Bryant, Dillon Thieneman and Devin Bush in 2026 to create a versatile back-seven.

History

Historical Context

After the Bears’ surprise 13-3 campaign in 2001 under Dick Jauron, the franchise entered a turbulent 2002 season—the NFL’s 83rd regular season—when realignment added the Houston Texans and the team played home games in Champaign while Soldier Field was rebuilt, finishing 4-12. The contrast between those back-to-back seasons frames today’s renewed focus on defensive blitzing.

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Ben Johnson Leads

Ben Johnson leads the Bears into the 2026 NFL season with a net rest differential of +15, the league’s highest since 2002.
Bears will travel third-fewest air miles in 2026 and play six short-rest games against teams not coming off a bye.
Offseason signings added safety Coby Bryant, linebacker Devin Bush, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and 25th-overall pick Dillon Thieneman to replace losses such as wide receiver DJ Moore.

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