Kevin Fishbain
@kfishbain.bsky.social
Senior writer at The Athletic covering the Chicago Bears.
From Halas Hall, @danwiederer.bsky.social and I on what we heard from Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams, Kevin Byard and Cole Kmet as they prepare for Saturday night
How will Caleb Williams fare in his first playoffs? Bears feel he’s ‘built for these moments’
Expectations for Williams against the Packers on Saturday night is one of four stage-setting storylines addressed within.
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:08 PM
From Halas Hall, @danwiederer.bsky.social and I on what we heard from Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams, Kevin Byard and Cole Kmet as they prepare for Saturday night
Tomorrow, the origin story of the voice of the Bears
January 6, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Tomorrow, the origin story of the voice of the Bears
The Bears opened the 21-day practice window for CB Kyler Gordon and OT Braxton Jones.
January 6, 2026 at 6:48 PM
The Bears opened the 21-day practice window for CB Kyler Gordon and OT Braxton Jones.
Bears QB Caleb Williams: "I think I am built for these moments. Mentality-wise, how I've worked ... I've been in a bunch of big games before ... in those moments and in these moments, I think I could provide a spark for the team."
January 6, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Bears QB Caleb Williams: "I think I am built for these moments. Mentality-wise, how I've worked ... I've been in a bunch of big games before ... in those moments and in these moments, I think I could provide a spark for the team."
Reposted by Kevin Fishbain
Congrats to all of the deserving NSMA Sports Media award winners but especially my teammates @theathletic.com:
@nickijhabvala.bsky.social
@romeovillekid.bsky.social
@kfishbain.bsky.social
@doughaller.bsky.social
@mattgelb.bsky.social
@nickijhabvala.bsky.social
@romeovillekid.bsky.social
@kfishbain.bsky.social
@doughaller.bsky.social
@mattgelb.bsky.social
January 6, 2026 at 3:20 AM
Congrats to all of the deserving NSMA Sports Media award winners but especially my teammates @theathletic.com:
@nickijhabvala.bsky.social
@romeovillekid.bsky.social
@kfishbain.bsky.social
@doughaller.bsky.social
@mattgelb.bsky.social
@nickijhabvala.bsky.social
@romeovillekid.bsky.social
@kfishbain.bsky.social
@doughaller.bsky.social
@mattgelb.bsky.social
The foundation to the 2025 Bears roster actually started in the 2020 NFL draft. A look at how this team was built, from Cole Kmet to C.J. Gardner-Johnson
How the 2025 Chicago Bears were built: From Cole Kmet to C.J. Gardner-Johnson
The 2025 NFC North champion Bears' roster construction began in 2020. Here's a chronological look at how the team was built.
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:07 PM
The foundation to the 2025 Bears roster actually started in the 2020 NFL draft. A look at how this team was built, from Cole Kmet to C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Bears final playing time percentages (offense)
Dalman 100
Thuney 99.6
Caleb 99.0
Jonah 98.2
Wright 93.1
DJ 84.8
Kmet 66.6
Odunze 63.5
Loveland 60.8
Swift 53.8
OZ 50.3
Theo 50.1
Ozzy 42.5
Monangai 41.4
Burden 34.8
Smythe 25.4
Jones 18.2
Walker 7.5
Duvernay 3.5
Newman 2.2
Dalman 100
Thuney 99.6
Caleb 99.0
Jonah 98.2
Wright 93.1
DJ 84.8
Kmet 66.6
Odunze 63.5
Loveland 60.8
Swift 53.8
OZ 50.3
Theo 50.1
Ozzy 42.5
Monangai 41.4
Burden 34.8
Smythe 25.4
Jones 18.2
Walker 7.5
Duvernay 3.5
Newman 2.2
January 5, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Bears final playing time percentages (offense)
Dalman 100
Thuney 99.6
Caleb 99.0
Jonah 98.2
Wright 93.1
DJ 84.8
Kmet 66.6
Odunze 63.5
Loveland 60.8
Swift 53.8
OZ 50.3
Theo 50.1
Ozzy 42.5
Monangai 41.4
Burden 34.8
Smythe 25.4
Jones 18.2
Walker 7.5
Duvernay 3.5
Newman 2.2
Dalman 100
Thuney 99.6
Caleb 99.0
Jonah 98.2
Wright 93.1
DJ 84.8
Kmet 66.6
Odunze 63.5
Loveland 60.8
Swift 53.8
OZ 50.3
Theo 50.1
Ozzy 42.5
Monangai 41.4
Burden 34.8
Smythe 25.4
Jones 18.2
Walker 7.5
Duvernay 3.5
Newman 2.2
Bears Live Room is underway. Bring your thoughts, questions, concerns, etc. www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
Bears lose, but remain 2 seed
The Bears ended a magical season with a thud, a 19-16 last-second loss to the Lions. Thanks to the Commanders, they’re still the 2 seed, but it doesn’t feel as hopeful as it did last week. Let’s break...
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Bears Live Room is underway. Bring your thoughts, questions, concerns, etc. www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
With 270 yards of offense Sunday, the Bears dropped from 3rd in the NFL to 6th in total offense.
Two teams that jumped them? The Lions, who had 433 yards yesterday at Soldier Field ... and Mitch Trubisky's Bills with 470.
It's still the franchise's best finish since 1983.
Two teams that jumped them? The Lions, who had 433 yards yesterday at Soldier Field ... and Mitch Trubisky's Bills with 470.
It's still the franchise's best finish since 1983.
January 5, 2026 at 3:22 PM
With 270 yards of offense Sunday, the Bears dropped from 3rd in the NFL to 6th in total offense.
Two teams that jumped them? The Lions, who had 433 yards yesterday at Soldier Field ... and Mitch Trubisky's Bills with 470.
It's still the franchise's best finish since 1983.
Two teams that jumped them? The Lions, who had 433 yards yesterday at Soldier Field ... and Mitch Trubisky's Bills with 470.
It's still the franchise's best finish since 1983.
The Bears allowed 74 plays of 20+ yards this season, second-most in the NFL and their most since 2014.
Their third-down defense was 2nd from Weeks 1-11 and 30th from Weeks 12-18. Those issues were on display vs. Detroit.
“Just a bad defensive day," Jaquan Brisker said.
Story
Their third-down defense was 2nd from Weeks 1-11 and 30th from Weeks 12-18. Those issues were on display vs. Detroit.
“Just a bad defensive day," Jaquan Brisker said.
Story
Bears defense gets exposed again. Can they fix it for playoff meeting with Packers?
The Bears have allowed the second-most explosive plays in the NFL season, a major weakness as they enter the playoffs.
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:05 PM
The Bears allowed 74 plays of 20+ yards this season, second-most in the NFL and their most since 2014.
Their third-down defense was 2nd from Weeks 1-11 and 30th from Weeks 12-18. Those issues were on display vs. Detroit.
“Just a bad defensive day," Jaquan Brisker said.
Story
Their third-down defense was 2nd from Weeks 1-11 and 30th from Weeks 12-18. Those issues were on display vs. Detroit.
“Just a bad defensive day," Jaquan Brisker said.
Story
Snap counts from Sunday’s Bears loss
January 5, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Snap counts from Sunday’s Bears loss
Bears vs. Packers will be Saturday, 7p on Prime Video.
January 5, 2026 at 2:54 AM
Bears vs. Packers will be Saturday, 7p on Prime Video.
After two seasons and 34 games, Bears QB Caleb Williams has an interception rate of 1.2%, which is the lowest in NFL history for a quarterback with at least 1,000 pass attempts (h/t Bears PR).
January 5, 2026 at 2:12 AM
After two seasons and 34 games, Bears QB Caleb Williams has an interception rate of 1.2%, which is the lowest in NFL history for a quarterback with at least 1,000 pass attempts (h/t Bears PR).
Initial takeaways from today's Bears loss to the Lions to end the regular season with analysis from @danwiederer.bsky.social, @coltonpouncy.bsky.social and me
Lions-Bears takeaways: Despite loss, Chicago gets NFC’s No. 2 seed, will host Packers
The Lions blew a 16-0 fourth-quarter lead but kicked the winning field goal to end their season on a high note.
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:26 AM
Initial takeaways from today's Bears loss to the Lions to end the regular season with analysis from @danwiederer.bsky.social, @coltonpouncy.bsky.social and me
The Bears are the first division champ with a sub-.500 record in their division since the 2010 Chiefs.
January 5, 2026 at 12:31 AM
The Bears are the first division champ with a sub-.500 record in their division since the 2010 Chiefs.
The Commanders beat the Eagles, so the Bears get the No. 2 seed.
Bears vs. Packers, playoffs, next weekend at Soldier Field.
Bears vs. Packers, playoffs, next weekend at Soldier Field.
January 5, 2026 at 12:27 AM
The Commanders beat the Eagles, so the Bears get the No. 2 seed.
Bears vs. Packers, playoffs, next weekend at Soldier Field.
Bears vs. Packers, playoffs, next weekend at Soldier Field.
The Bears end the season 11-6, losing back-to-back games for the first time since Weeks 1-2.
Next up, the playoffs.
Lions 19, Bears 16
Next up, the playoffs.
Lions 19, Bears 16
January 5, 2026 at 12:20 AM
The Bears end the season 11-6, losing back-to-back games for the first time since Weeks 1-2.
Next up, the playoffs.
Lions 19, Bears 16
Next up, the playoffs.
Lions 19, Bears 16
Bears CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson slowly walking off the field with trainers. That did not look good. He's heading straight to the locker room.
January 5, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Bears CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson slowly walking off the field with trainers. That did not look good. He's heading straight to the locker room.
Well, the Luther Burden drop followed by Caleb Williams' intentional grounding leads to a punt ... but the Commanders have taken the lead in Philadelphia.
January 5, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Well, the Luther Burden drop followed by Caleb Williams' intentional grounding leads to a punt ... but the Commanders have taken the lead in Philadelphia.
That's Kevin Byard's first interception since Black Friday, his seventh of the season, 36th of his career, and the Bears' 23rd INT.
January 5, 2026 at 12:05 AM
That's Kevin Byard's first interception since Black Friday, his seventh of the season, 36th of his career, and the Bears' 23rd INT.
Colston Loveland has 10 catches for 90 yards and just caught his 6th touchdown of the season, then Cole Kmet with the diving catch for 2.
12 plays, 88 yards.
This team, right?
Bears 16, Lions 16
12 plays, 88 yards.
This team, right?
Bears 16, Lions 16
January 4, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Colston Loveland has 10 catches for 90 yards and just caught his 6th touchdown of the season, then Cole Kmet with the diving catch for 2.
12 plays, 88 yards.
This team, right?
Bears 16, Lions 16
12 plays, 88 yards.
This team, right?
Bears 16, Lions 16
Play of the day for the Bears, as Caleb Williams stands calmly in the pocket and delivers a perfect ball to Jahdae Walker for the touchdown ... and the franchise's single-season passing yards record. Then Kyle Monangai punches it in for 2.
Lions 16, Bears 8
Lions 16, Bears 8
January 4, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Play of the day for the Bears, as Caleb Williams stands calmly in the pocket and delivers a perfect ball to Jahdae Walker for the touchdown ... and the franchise's single-season passing yards record. Then Kyle Monangai punches it in for 2.
Lions 16, Bears 8
Lions 16, Bears 8
Bears red-zone defense stands tall again after an 11-play, 74-yard drive to hold the Lions to a FG.
For anyone curious, Detroit has given up 23+ points in 8 of their last 9 games.
Lions 16, Bears 0
For anyone curious, Detroit has given up 23+ points in 8 of their last 9 games.
Lions 16, Bears 0
January 4, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Bears red-zone defense stands tall again after an 11-play, 74-yard drive to hold the Lions to a FG.
For anyone curious, Detroit has given up 23+ points in 8 of their last 9 games.
Lions 16, Bears 0
For anyone curious, Detroit has given up 23+ points in 8 of their last 9 games.
Lions 16, Bears 0
Eagles have gone up 14-10 on the Commanders in the third quarter. Bears are at risk of going down three scores.
January 4, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Eagles have gone up 14-10 on the Commanders in the third quarter. Bears are at risk of going down three scores.
That's Caleb Williams' first interception since the final play of the game in Lambeau. He had Durham Smythe wide open.
January 4, 2026 at 11:10 PM
That's Caleb Williams' first interception since the final play of the game in Lambeau. He had Durham Smythe wide open.