Column: Chicago Bears restored the city’s faith this season. Their next challenge? Avoiding regression.

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams walks through while the team clears out their lockers Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears guard Jonah Jackson speaks while cleaning out his locker Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams addresses the media Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears equipment manager Tony Medlin moves boxes while the team clears out their lockers Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears defensive end Dominique Robinson cleans out his locker Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears defensive end Dominique Robinson moves his boxes out of the locker room Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright speaks while cleaning out his locker Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears center Drew Dalman speaks while cleaning out his locker Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears free safety Kevin Byard speaks while cleaning out his locker Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams greets offensive tackle Darnell Wright while the team clears out their lockers Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears wide receiver Jahdae Walker clears out his locker Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright clears out his locker Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams walks through while the team clears out their lockers Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze speaks while the team clears out their lockers Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears offensive tackle Braxton Jones cleans out his locker Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears wide receiver Jahdae Walker clears out his locker Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears running back Kyle Monangai cleans out his locker Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears running back Kyle Monangai speaks while cleaning out his locker Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears running back Kyle Monangai, left, and safety Jaquan Brisker say goodbye in the locker room Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears running back Kyle Monangai cleans out his locker Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams walks through while players clear out their lockers Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears offensive tackle Braxton Jones cleans out his locker Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears running back Kyle Monangai cleans out his locker Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze speaks while the team clears out their lockers Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze walks through while the team clears out their lockers Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams addresses the media Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bears safety Jaquan Brisker speaks while cleaning out his locker Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)