The Bears got no penalty luck in 2025

The Bears’ 2025 season was about as chaotic as a season could get. As far as potential events that can impact the result of a game, Chicago witnessed extremes on both ends of the spectrum. For one, the Bears led the NFL with 33 turnovers forced in 2025.

It’s possible to replicate a high level of turnover success, but considering that four of the top 10 teams in turnovers forced from 2024 also finished in the top 10 in 2025, it’s not incredibly likely. One could argue the rate at which they consistently came from behind could be tough to replicate in 2026, as well. However, there were two negative things that luckily shouldn’t be translatable year over year.

The first one being the injuries the Bears faced: they led the NFL with the most games missed by players due to injury in 2025. Notable defenders like Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Austin Booker, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Shemar Turner all multiple months at a time with injuries. Some of the disruption they faced in going from Braxton Jones to Theo Benedet to Ozzy Trapilo at left tackle came from the former two both suffering injuries, as well.

Another key statistic that didn’t help Chicago at all was the lack of penalty luck they received from their opponents. Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis posted on Twitter/X on Thursday, ranking all 32 NFL teams by how many penalty yards were called against their opponents in 2025. The Bears ranked dead last: penalty yards called on opponents in 2026 678 – Chicago Bears 701 – Detroit Lions 731 – Buffalo Bills 734 – San Francisco 49ers 747 – Atlanta Falcons 772 – Tennessee Titans 794 – New York Jets 797 – Philadelphia Eagles 818 – New England Patriots 822 – Arizona Cardinals 828 – Los… — Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 7, 2026 With the new kickoff rules, let’s say the average field position in today’s NFL starts off at their own 30-yard line.