Bold predictions for the rest of the Bears season

Week 5 is on tap for most of the NFL this weekend, but the Chicago Bears will not be participating in a game. The Bears are one of four teams that are on a bye week as they regroup before their 13-game stretch to close out the season. At 2-2, Chicago has won two games in a row, salvaging their season after a poor start to the Ben Johnson era.

Through four weeks, we've seen positives from this Bears team, such as quarterback Caleb Williams growing as a pocket passer, the emergence of Rome Odunze, and the strong play from the Bears' dinged-up secondary. At the same time, other areas such as the defensive line and offensive tackle have failed to impress, raising questions about how far the Bears can go this season.

Though the bye week is much earlier than it has been in previous years, it comes at a good time for the Bears as they try to get healthy and figure out a few struggling positions. It's also a good time to share some predictions for the final 13 games after what we've seen so far. Here are five bold predictions for the rest of the Bears season.

1. Rome Odunze sets the team touchdown record

Many expected wide receiver Rome Odunze to take a step in Year 2, but so far, he’s surpassed even the loftiest expectations placed upon him during the offseason. Odunze has been a scoring machine and has developed a strong connection with Caleb Williams. Through four games, Odunze has five receiving touchdowns, second in the NFL. He’s far and away the top pass catcher for the Bears and has a chance to make history.

Odunze needs just nine more touchdowns to set the team record for most receiving touchdowns in a single season. That record is held by Ken Kavanaugh and Dick Gordon, set in 1947 and 1970, respectively. He’s already halfway towards double digits, a mark that has only been surpassed by Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery since the turn of the century.

Receivers and their production tend to ebb and flow throughout the season. At some point, Odunze will likely hit a lull, but given he’s been the go-to guy in scoring situations, I predict he will have at least 14 touchdowns this year as long as he stays healthy. Odunze will etch his name in the Bears' history books.

2. Bears make a trade for a running back

The Bears have just two running backs they’re comfortable with on offense, and neither one is having a particularly good season. D’Andre Swift has had moments of success as the starting back but has struggled to generate consistent production, even though he’s showing better vision and toughness. Rookie Kyle Monangai, meanwhile, isn’t yet a quality RB2, and his limitations in the passing game prevent him from taking on a larger role.

Through four games, the Bears are a bottom-10 rushing team, averaging just 3.8 yards per carry and 102 yards per game. While Johnson has reiterated the lack of success is not due to any singular player, one has to wonder if the Bears will try and bring in someone else to provide a spark. Especially since players like Roschon Johnson or Brittain Brown have not seen any carries on offense.

Assuming the Bears continue to hover around .500, it’s likely general manager Ryan Poles will make a trade to bolster the roster. That could be a running back, where players like Alvin Kamara, Raheem Mostert, or Jerome Ford could be available. I expect the Bears to acquire someone, even if it’s not a marquee name.

3. Austin Booker finishes with the most sacks

Despite having one of the most expensive defensive lines in football, the Bears have just five sacks—all of which have come from different players. The Bears are generating very little pressure on the quarterback, and it’s been a strain on a thin secondary. The good news is some reinforcements should be on the way.

Second-year edge rusher Austin Booker is eligible to come off injured reserve this week and could provide a boost to a struggling pass rush. He could be what the team needs as a third-down pass rusher, something the Bears don’t currently have. Booker showed promise in the preseason before his knee injury, and it sounds like Johnson was counting on him playing a significant role.

Assuming Booker comes back in the next week or so, I see him leading the team in sacks at this rate. This isn’t necessarily saying he’s going to light the world on fire. It’s more of the fact that no one on the Bears can get home to the quarterback, and Booker might see more favorable situations to get sacks.

4. Kevin Byard returns to the Pro Bowl

Kevin Byard has turned back the clock with how he’s playing to start the 2025 season. He already has three interceptions, tied for the league lead, and has three pass breakups. More importantly, though, he’s allowing a completion percentage of just 61.5% and an opposing quarterback rating of 85.4. Both would be Byard’s best totals since 2022 should they remain for the entire year.

The 32-year-old free safety is seeing the field as good as ever, and he’s in prime position to earn a Pro Bowl nod if he continues this type of play. With players such as linebacker TJ Edwards and cornerback Kyler Gordon set to return from injuries, they should provide a boost to the back seven, allowing Byard to continue to thrive as the ball-hawking safety.

5. Cairo Santos will hit a career-long field goal

It appears the concerns over Cario Santos have quieted down over the last few weeks. Following a disastrous opener against the Minnesota Vikings, Santos has been rock solid for the Bears, converting all five field goal attempts and not missing an extra point. He was instrumental in getting the win last weekend over the Las Vegas Raiders with two field goals over 50 yards.

Santos’ range has constantly been called into question, as many NFL kickers have hit kicks over 60 yards, while Santos’ career long is just 55 yards. With the new “K” balls that teams are using for kickers now, this should give Santos an edge. At some point this year, he will kick a new career long between 56 and 60 yards, showing that not only is his leg strength fine, but also that Johnson trusts him to hit such a big field goal. Whether it’s a home game at Soldier Field with the wind at his back or a kick inside a dome like US Bank Stadium, Santos will set a new career long this year.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bold predictions for the rest of the Bears season