2025 Chicago Bears Fantasy Preview
Chicago’s 2025 offseason was transformative. New head coach Ben Johnson, formerly Detroit’s offensive coordinator, brings a dynamic, play-action-heavy scheme (13.2 percent play-action rate) to maximize quarterback Caleb Williams. GM Ryan Poles overhauled the roster, trading for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, signing center Drew Dalman, and drafting eight players, including three offensive starters.) Free agency additions like DT Grady Jarrett and DE Dayo Odeyingbo bolster a defense that ranked 14th in DVOA, while offensive line upgrades signal a shift toward protecting Williams and enhancing the run game.
Caleb Williams, the 2024 No. 1 pick, remains the Bears’ cornerstone. Johnson’s hire is pivotal, as his work with Jared Goff (72.4 percent completion rate in 2024) suggests Williams could leap in Year 2. Williams’ improvisational style (9.8% scramble rate) aligns with Johnson’s quick-pass offense, projecting a 4,000-yard season if the line holds. Although his rookie season was below expectations, Williams is a prime rebound candidate supported by an improving roster and a more fantasy-friendly scheme.
D’Andre Swift (1,049 yards, 4.8 YPC, 2024) leads the backfield, complemented by Roschon Johnson. Seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai (669 college carries, 0 fumbles) adds power and pass-blocking, fitting Johnson’s outside zone scheme. Swift is an interesting name to keep in mind on draft day. The fantasy community seems down on him, but he still posted RB19 numbers last season. Additionally, he checks boxes that make him a good fit in Johnson’s scheme, and the team chose not to target an early-round back in a deep class. Swift might be an excellent sleeper RB2.
D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze (No. 9 pick, 2024) form a top-tier duo. Moore saw a steep decline in his numbers but still posted WR14 overall numbers. With Keenan Allen gone, Odunze will be the undisputed WR2. The duo is joined by second-rounder Luther Burden III (940 yards at Missouri). Burden’s 5.1 yards after catch projects him as a WR3 starter in 11 personnel, adding explosiveness. Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay provide depth and special-teams value. The group’s separation ability (Moore: 2.8 yards per route) eases Williams’ reads.
No. 10 overall pick Colston Loveland joins Cole Kmet to form a formidable tandem should Johnson choose to run ’12’ personnel- something the Lions did on 32.3 percent of their snaps in 2024, third-most in the league. Loveland’s slot usage (48% at Michigan) and separation skills complement Kmet’s in-line blocking.
Chicago ranked dead last in offense one year ago. With Ben Johnson calling plays and a much-improved roster, that’s not going to happen again.
Fantasy Grade: B-
Expectations were probably too high for Caleb Williams in Year One. While his stats (62.5 percent completion rate, 20 TDs, 6 INT) were fine, Chicago’s abundance of weapons had many fantasy analysts projecting top-10 rookie stats. Instead, Williams ranked 27th in adjusted yards per attempt, 27th in QBR, and 40th in Accuracy Rating. Much of that had to do with ranking 1st in deep-ball attempts and 2nd in air yards. With Ben Johnson calling plays and an overhauled offensive line, expect Williams to be more efficient. Williams improved down the stretch and should be a real value in drafts after an innocuous rookie campaign.
RB Swift, D’Andre, CHI [RB1] Sleeper
The Bears were rumored to be attempting to trade up to draft Ashton Jeanty, but the 2025 NFL Draft came and went without Chicago adding a running back until the seventh round. Fantasy managers seem to be done with D’Andre Swift, but he’s been quietly productive. Swift ranked 10th in snap share (66.9 percent) and carries (253). He also ran the eighth-most routes, and with Ben Johnson now in the Windy City, Swift has underrated value in an offense littered with skill-position talent. Johnson coached Swift to a pair of RB2 finishes in 2022-2023, where he averaged 13 PPR points per game.
RB Johnson, Roschon, CHI [RB2] Sleeper
If Ben Johnson follows the model he succeeded with in Detroit, multiple Chicago running backs will have value in 2025. Johnson (6-0, 219) has a similar style to David Montgomery, but Johnson offers more speed and burst. Last year, Johnson ranked 10th in the league with 1.03 fantasy points per opportunity, two spots ahead of Montgomery (0.99). Johnson is also an excellent short-yardage option, cashing in six touchdowns on nine carries inside his opponent’s 5-yard line. Finally, Johnson caught 34-of-40 targets in 2023, showing underrated three-down skills…just like David Montgomery.
D.J. Moore has become one of the NFL’s healthiest producers, missing just two games across seven seasons and finishing as a top-25 fantasy WR in each of the past six. While his 2024 numbers dipped from WR9 in points per game to WR28, that drop came in a crowded receiver group with a rookie quarterback. Still, Moore ranked top 10 in both targets and receptions. His production surged post-Week 10, averaging 17.3 fantasy points per game after OC Shane Waldron’s departure. Now under offensive-minded head coach Ben Johnson, and with Caleb Williams entering Year 2, Moore has room to thrive. With added competition from rookies Luther Burden and Colston Loveland, he’s more volatile than elite.
WR Odunze, Rome, CHI [WR2] Sleeper
The 101 targets Rome Oduze drew in his rookie season were in line with preseason expectations. However, the results were slightly disappointing. Oduze only caught 54 of those passes, resulting in a (-1.6) yards per target over expectation figure. Caleb Williams played a big part, as all of Chicago’s pass-catchers were in the minus on that metric. Odunze only had seven plays designed for him, and he was first read on just 18.9 percent. With Keenan Allen gone, expect an increase in Year Two. Odunze is a good value at his slightly depressed ADP.
Luther Burden’s second season at Missouri was stellar (86/1,243/10), but 2024 saw a dip (61/676/6, plus 9/115/2 rushing). He hit 100+ yards once last year (6/117/1), and his yards per catch fell from 14.1 to 11.1 with QB Brady Cook. Used as a chain mover, with elite hands, timing, and a 4.41 40-yard dash, he excels in deep passes. Burden is an intriguing fit in Ben Johnson’s offense, particularly if he starts in the slot, where Amon-Ra St. Brown has thrived. His draft capital (39th pick) indicates Burden has real sleeper appeal.
TE Loveland, Colston, CHI [TE1]
The surprise first tight end off the board with the 10th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Colston Loveland, is a dynamic athlete. At 6-6 and 248 lbs, the Michigan standout amassed 117 receptions for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns over three collegiate seasons. In 2024, he led the Wolverines with 56 catches for 582 yards and five scores, despite missing time due to a shoulder injury. Known for his polished route-running and red-zone prowess, Loveland offers a sizable catch radius and the versatility to line up both in-line and in the slot. He and Cole Kmet will allow the Bears to challenge teams with more ’12’ formations.
Kmet’s days as a weekly starter are over as long as first-rounder Colston Loveland is healthy. Ben Johnson liked to utilize multiple tight ends often in Detroit, so Kmet should still play plenty of snaps. However, he won’t command a consistent share of targets as the Bears’ 6th or 7th option.
Santos played all 17 games for Chicago last season and averaged a paltry 4.9 kicking points per game. Yikes. Things should be significantly better with Ben Johnson on the sidelines, but there is no reason to draft Santos.
Chicago was a top-10 unit last season, but three D/ST touchdowns were the main catalyst for that finish. Overall, the Bears only had 40 sacks and forced 24 turnovers. They’re a middling fantasy option, closer to 20th than the 10th they finished last year.
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