{"id":36823,"date":"2026-02-05T19:07:36","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T01:07:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/2026\/02\/05\/bears-players-in-san-francisco-for-super-bowl-lx-sick-about-being-so-close-yet-so-far-from-lombardi-trophy\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T19:07:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T01:07:37","slug":"bears-players-in-san-francisco-for-super-bowl-lx-sick-about-being-so-close-yet-so-far-from-lombardi-trophy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/2026\/02\/05\/bears-players-in-san-francisco-for-super-bowl-lx-sick-about-being-so-close-yet-so-far-from-lombardi-trophy\/","title":{"rendered":"Bears players in San Francisco for Super Bowl LX ‘sick’ about being so close, yet so far from Lombardi Trophy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to the Bears’ Dilemma<\/h2>\n

SAN FRANCISCO \u2014 Several key players for the Bears have been in the Bay Area this week to play in the Pro Bowl or appear at Radio Row, and being in such proximity to Super Bowl LX illustrated perfectly how much higher their expectations should be next season.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the Season<\/h2>\n

All of them agree this season was a sensational accomplishment as the team won its first playoff game in 15 years, but none were content as the Seahawks and Patriots pressed on toward the real goal of winning a championship Sunday. \u201cWhat we did this year is over with,\u201d running back D\u2019Andre Swift told the Sun-Times on Thursday. \u201cWe understand what it looks like to get to that point, but we need to take it up a notch to try to surpass that and ultimately not be talking to you right now and be at practice instead.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Pain of Being Close<\/h2>\n

Tight end Colston Loveland added, \u201cIt makes you sick. But we didn\u2019t get it done. It hurts to know we could\u2019ve been here.\u201d Promoting Dairy Queen (Swift) and pitching Charmin toilet paper (Loveland) are decent side jobs, but they\u2019d rather be fighting for the Lombardi Trophy.<\/p>\n

The Path Forward<\/h2>\n

The Bears got closer than they\u2019d been in a long time, losing to the Rams in overtime in the divisional round and missing out on a chance to face the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. That\u2019s good, but it needs to be merely the first step. They\u2019ll be going into Year 5 of general manager Ryan Poles\u2019 tenure next season, and more importantly, the third season of quarterback Caleb Williams\u2019 rookie contract. If Williams keeps improving and earns a pricey contract extension, it\u2019ll get significantly more difficult to build around him.<\/p>\n

The Clock is Ticking<\/h2>\n

The clock is ticking. And the standards are higher. Repeating this season\u2019s success, which will be difficult in itself, won\u2019t be celebrated again. \u201cGuys already implicitly know it,\u201d center Drew Dalman said. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t describe the mood of myself and some of the other guys as super celebratory. You want to win the whole thing. You have a little bit of satisfaction in that you took a step in the right direction and you\u2019re building things the right way. You have evidence that the process works, so that\u2019s encouraging. But results-wise, you\u2019re not walking around super happy about having lost.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lessons Learned<\/h2>\n

The more experienced Bears also see clearly what coach Ben Johnson pointed out all season: The Bears\u2019 resilience in high-pressure situations was a strength, but the seven victories they pulled out after trailing in the final two minutes didn\u2019t establish a viable template going forward. The Bears had the third-worst point differential among playoff teams this season at plus-26, a razor-thin margin for an 11-6 team. They needed onsides kicks, blocked field goals and big kick returns just to have a chance for some of those late escapes.<\/p>\n

Looking to the Future<\/h2>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be very hard to duplicate a season like we had with all the comeback wins, which we should stay out of,\u201d wide receiver DJ Moore said. \u201cIt\u2019ll be a challenge to get back to where we were, let alone go farther.\u201d Moore will be going into his ninth season, and this was the first time he played for a team with a winning record. Safety Kevin Byard, a pending free agent who hopes to return, is going into Year 11 looking for his first championship. Left guard Joe Thuney is the oldest starter on the roster at 33, and with four Super Bowl rings already, that\u2019s the only thing that matters to him.<\/p>\n

The Championship Window<\/h2>\n

Time is running short for all of them as they hope the Bears make a leap next season. \u201cGuys always talk about this championship window,\u201d Byard said. \u201cWe have it here.\u201d Theoretically, that\u2019s possible. But it\u2019ll require a major step forward.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The Bears’ journey this season was significant, but the ultimate goal of winning the Lombardi Trophy remains elusive. As the team looks to the future, the players and management are aware that the clock is ticking, and the standards are higher. The challenge ahead will be to build on this season’s success and take a major step forward towards the championship.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n