Training camp is here, and we’re setting the scene for the 2026 season. This week I’ll be ranking the Bears who matter most to the season ahead. Veterans reported today, the first practice is tomorrow, and the gates open to the public on Friday. So over the next several days, we’re going to count down the 20 most important Bears of 2026, tier by tier, all the way to No. 1.

But first, a word about what “important” means here, because it’s the whole ballgame.

This is not a list of the best Bears. It’s not a talent ranking, and it’s not a depth chart. If you want to know who the most gifted players on the roster are, that’s a different post. This one is about something more specific, and to me, more interesting.

The 20 Most Important Bears of 2026 (via Patrick K. Flowers)

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