The Chicago Bears organization spent the final days of January 2026 in a state of simultaneous celebration and transition, honoring the standout performers from their 2025 NFC North championship season while bidding farewell to two key members of the football operations staff.
A Trio of Team MVPs Recognized
The team unveiled its 2025 season award winners over a three-day period, headlined by quarterback Caleb Williams being named the Chicago Bears Offensive Player of the Year on January 28. In his second NFL season, Williams engineered a dramatic leap in performance, shattering the franchise's single-season passing record and piloting the offense to a division title. His poise, playmaking ability, and leadership were universally cited as the catalysts for the team's offensive resurgence.
On January 29, the defensive honor was bestowed upon safety Kevin Byard III, who was named the Chicago Bears Defensive Player of the Year. The veteran captain and All-Pro selection was the linchpin of a unit that led the entire NFL with 33 takeaways. Byard's intelligence, communication, and ball-hawking skills set the tone for one of the league's most opportunistic defenses.
Completing the trifecta on January 30, kicker Cairo Santos earned the title of Chicago Bears Special Teams Player of the Year. Santos, who holds the distinction of being the most accurate field-goal kicker in franchise history at 88.3%, was recognized for his remarkable consistency, clutch kicking, and veteran presence in the locker room throughout the campaign.
Significant Staff Turnover Hits Halas Hall
The accolades were accompanied by significant news regarding the team's infrastructure. On January 30, it was confirmed that offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is departing to assume the same role with the Baltimore Ravens. Doyle, who helped oversee Caleb Williams's development and the offense's growth in 2025, leaves a critical vacancy on head coach Ben Johnson's staff. The search for his replacement will be a paramount offseason priority as the team looks to build upon its recent success.
In a parallel move on the same day, the Bears' front office sustained a major loss. Assistant general manager Ian Cunningham was hired by the Atlanta Falcons to become their new general manager. Bears executives released statements praising Cunningham's keen eye for talent and his substantial contributions to the roster construction that led to the 2025 playoff run. His departure creates a key void in the personnel department.
Navigating the Road Ahead
These staff changes arrive as the Bears confront practical challenges for the 2026 season. Recent NFL projections indicate the team is currently over the 2026 salary cap by approximately $9.63 million. This financial reality will likely necessitate strategic contract restructures or difficult roster decisions in the coming months to achieve cap compliance.
Furthermore, early offseason analysis from league observers suggests that while the Bears' offensive core—led by Williams, wide receiver Rome Odunze, and others—is considered young and ascending, the defense may require reinforcements, particularly along the defensive line and in the secondary, to transform from a playoff participant to a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
The events of late January 2026 have set the stage for a pivotal offseason in Chicago. The franchise is buoyed by the proven excellence of its award-winning players but must now navigate the dual tasks of replacing valued football minds and shrewdly managing its resources to take the next step.