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The Chicago Bears were one of the NFL's feel-good stories during the 2025 season, going from worst to first, winning the NFC North and thrilling the league with their improbable comebacks under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. But with the start of the offseason program, it's a reminder that 2026 is a clean slate.
Johnson has made it clear from the start of the offseason that the approach heading into 2026 is about starting over. While they were able to find success last season, and they have some of those same cornerstones in place, the Bears are going to have to climb the mountain all over again.
Tight end Cole Kmet reaffirmed Johnson's message during a recent meeting with the media, where he shared expectations for the 2026 season that includes working back to where they were last year and then eclipsing that milestone.
"Last year is over with. The reality of the NFL is there are seven to nine new playoff teams every year," Kmet said, via Chris Emma. "This league, they want parity and they get their parity. We see that year to year and we’re not excused from that. ... We’re looking to not only get back to where we were last year with the chance to go to the NFC Championship game, but to exceed that and go win the Super Bowl."
Chicago was one of those new playoff teams last season, going 11-6, winning the division title for the first time since 2018 and winning their first playoff game in nearly two decades. But success one season doesn't guarantee success moving forward, and it's up to Johnson, his staff and his players to put the work in to ensure that the Bears can make a return to the playoffs and pay good on general manager Ryan Poles' promise to "take the (NFC) North and never give it back."
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears TE Cole Kmet shares expectations for 2026 season
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Johnson has made it clear from the start of the offseason that the approach heading into 2026 is about starting over. While they were able to find success last season, and they have some of those same cornerstones in place, the Bears are going to have to climb the mountain all over again.
Tight end Cole Kmet reaffirmed Johnson's message during a recent meeting with the media, where he shared expectations for the 2026 season that includes working back to where they were last year and then eclipsing that milestone.
"Last year is over with. The reality of the NFL is there are seven to nine new playoff teams every year," Kmet said, via Chris Emma. "This league, they want parity and they get their parity. We see that year to year and we’re not excused from that. ... We’re looking to not only get back to where we were last year with the chance to go to the NFC Championship game, but to exceed that and go win the Super Bowl."
Chicago was one of those new playoff teams last season, going 11-6, winning the division title for the first time since 2018 and winning their first playoff game in nearly two decades. But success one season doesn't guarantee success moving forward, and it's up to Johnson, his staff and his players to put the work in to ensure that the Bears can make a return to the playoffs and pay good on general manager Ryan Poles' promise to "take the (NFC) North and never give it back."
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears TE Cole Kmet shares expectations for 2026 season
Continue reading...
