Phil Thompson

Phil Thompson is the Bears beat reporter for the Tribune and has covered many of Chicago's teams throughout his career, including the Blackhawks for 6 years.

Bears safety Jaquan Brisker gestures after the referees threw a flag on Packers quarterback Jordan Love for intentional grounding during an NFC wild-card playoff game Jan. 10, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Bears roster breakdown: How the defensive players fared in 2025 — and their contract statuses for 2026

January 27, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Here’s a look at how Chicago Bears defensive players fared in 2025, what their contract statuses are and how Ryan Poles might evaluate each position.

Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright celebrates after he recovered a fumble during the third quarter against the Giants on Nov. 9, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Bears CB Nahshon Wright added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster as an injury replacement

January 26, 2026 at 10:36 a.m.

Nahshon Wright joins three Chicago Bears teammates on the NFC Pro Bowl roster, their most honorees since 2019.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles speaks with the media at Halas Hall on Jan. 21, 2026, in Lake Forest. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

5 things we learned from Chicago Bears, including Caleb Williams’ evaluation and Ozzy Trapilo’s long road

January 21, 2026 at 5:12 p.m.

Now that the Chicago Bears’ season is over, there’s one more thing coach Ben Johnson needs quarterback Caleb Williams to do: Get away from football.

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)

3 things we learned from the Chicago Bears, including establishing a ‘gritty’ identity in 2025

January 19, 2026 at 6:37 p.m.

As Chicago Bears players cleaned out their lockers, they felt a mix of sadness, frustration and appreciation.

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams walks on the field in between plays in the first quarter against the Rams at Soldier Field on Jan. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Caleb Williams’ season in a nutshell: Another miraculous TD and an overtime INT in Chicago Bears’ playoff loss

January 19, 2026 at 1:04 a.m.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams ran hot and cold in two fateful plays: "It's a frustration. It's a fire.”

Bears coach Ben Johnson views the video board in the second quarter against the 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 28, 2025, in Santa Clara. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Elite play-callers Ben Johnson and Sean McVay take center stage in Chicago Bears-LA Rams playoff duel

January 17, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson once borrowed Sean McVay’s playbook, and his story took off from there. The Bears face McVay's Los Angeles Rams in a divisional-round playoff game Sunday.

Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze misses a catch in the end zone during the first quarter against the Packers on Jan. 10, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Rome Odunze says he’s ‘good enough to go’ in Chicago Bears’ playoff game vs. Los Angeles Rams

January 15, 2026 at 5:22 p.m.

Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze said it's difficult to say whether he feels like himself again on the field, "but at the end of the day, I’m good enough to...

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams throws an incomplete pass during the fourth quarter against the Packers on Jan. 10, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Caleb Williams creates viral moment with Jumpman throw, but ‘I’m kind of used to it,’ Chicago Bears QB says

January 15, 2026 at 7:11 a.m.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams called his now-iconic fourth-down pass in a playoff win against the Green Bay Packers a “good moment.”

Bears wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (14) scores on a touchdown reception during the fourth quarter against the Packers on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

5 things we learned from the Chicago Bears, including not wanting to rely on rally mode against the LA Rams

January 14, 2026 at 4:48 p.m.

The Chicago Bears don’t want to rely on rally mode against the Los Angeles Rams: “We don't want to put ourselves in a hole against a team like this.”

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford warms up before a game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

How can the Chicago Bears disrupt Matthew Stafford? 5 questions before the divisional-round game.

January 13, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Next up is coach Sean McVay, quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. This will be another tough test for coach Ben Johnson's Chicago Bears.

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