The 2025 season was supposed to be the Chicago Bears' return to relevance. Competitive football and a possible Wild Card spot were really the ceiling of expectations. But under the creative wizardry of Ben Johnson, Chicago didn't just compete; they took the NFC North crown and secured a top-two seed.
But for general manager Ryan Poles, the euphoria of a division title was quickly replaced by the cold reality of a medical report.
When Ozzy Trapilo clutched his knee during the Wild Card victory over Green Bay, the trajectory of the Bears' 2026 offseason shifted instantly.