Fantasy Football Player Notes

Colston Loveland finished the regular season top-5 among TEs in PFF receiving grade and yards per route run (1.97). From Week 7 onward...the Bears TE ranked top-5 in targets, catches and yards (26% target rate and TE4 in PPG at 11.1). Only Trey McBride had more receiving yards per game (61/game) compared to the Bears' TE.
The former Michigan product went NUCLEAR in the first round of the playoffs: Loveland recorded 8 receptions for 137 yards on 15 targets against the Packers, with the majority of his production coming when he created separation. Loveland generated 111 yards on 6 receptions (10 targets) when wide open (3+ yards of separation), while adding 94 yards on 4 receptions (6 targets) on vertical routes. The rookie tight end particularly excelled against zone coverage, where he hauled in all 8 of his receptions for 137 yards on 13 targets via Next Gen Stats.
Cole Kmet also has an out in his contract, so the team could move on from him to shift MORE focus toward Loveland. The Bears' offense did so over the team's last four games when Loveland commanded a whopping 28.5% target share (nearly 12 targets per game).

Luther Burden is shaping up as one of the biggest second-year breakout candidates in fantasy football after flashing elite efficiency late in his rookie season. The Bears wideout thrived in Ben Johnson's scheme, ranking near the top of the NFL in yards per route run while showcasing dynamic YAC ability and forced missed tackles. With DJ Moore gone, Burden has a legitimate path to leading Chicago in receiving production, especially as the coaching staff continues to emphasize getting him the ball in space. The upside is massive in Year 2, although target competition from Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland could create some weekly volatility.

Rome Odunze's second season was a tale of two halves, as injuries and poor catchable targets derailed what started as a breakout campaign. Before Week 9, he ranked top-10 in WR fantasy points per game while dominating high-value usage, leading the Bears in targets, red-zone looks, and air yards share. The concerns are real with Colston Loveland and Luther Burden taking larger roles in Year 2 but Chicago also lost significant WR volume and touchdown production entering 2026 with the departure of DJ Moore. Odunze remains a strong positive regression candidate tied to Caleb Williams, especially if the Bears' passing game takes another step forward under HC Ben Johnson.

D'Andre Swift arguably had a career year last season for the Bears as the RB16 in fantasy points per game. He finished with 257 touches and 1,386 total yards while splitting work with Kyle Monangai. Monangai's presence didn't hurt Swift a ton as he was the RB20 in fantasy points per game after Monangai's emergence in Week 9. During Weeks 10-18, Swift remained the preferred passing down back for Chicago with a 43% route share (Monangai 28.8%, per Fantasy Points Data), but he split up the red zone work with Monangai, with 18 red zone rushing attempts to Monangai's 19. This is worrisome, but not something to freak out about in today's NFL, where most teams are utilizing some form of committee approach. It was nice to see Swift's efficiency numbers bounce back after a horrible 2024 season. Last year, he ranked 13th in explosive run rate, 11th in rushing success rate, and 20th in missed tackle rate. Swift should be a mid-range RB2 again this season.

Caleb Williams is poised to take another step forward in his second season with Ben Johnson. Chicago is littered with young talent at the skill positions. He is a dual-threat QB who already finished 2025 as the QB7 in PPG (19.1). Top-10 in fantasy QB1 finisher rate (50%). And that was despite him ranking dead last in completion rate over expectation (-7.4%). Another step forward could easily vault the former first overall pick into the fantasy top 5 among QBs.

Kyle Monangai is a solid RB3/flex option with high-end handcuff appeal for 2026. Last year, in Weeks 10-18, Monangai led D'Andre Swift with 19 red zone rushing attempts compared to Swift's 18 while producing as the RB33 in fantasy points per game. During the same span, Monangai averaged 12.2 touches and 55.8 total yards while having a 28.8% route share (per Fantasy Points Data). Monangai is a serviceable early down hammer for Chicago, ranking 24th in explosive run rate, 21st in rushing success rate, and 20th in yards after contact per attempt. If Swift misses any time, Monangai would be Chicago's lead back and an RB1/2.

The Bears have an ascendant offense under second-year head coach Ben Johnson, giving Bears kicker Cairo Santos some fantasy appeal for 2026. Santos tied for 15th among kickers in fantasy points per game last season with 8.8. The 34-year-old kicker's field goal accuracy has waned in recent years. Santos converted 91.1 of his FG attempts over a four-year span from 2020 to 2023, but he's hit just 83.6% of his field goals over the last two seasons. Fantasy managers should also consider that Santos plays his home games in Chicago's Soldier Field, where weather often becomes a factor late in the season.

Best turnover luck imaginable last season and still didn't finish as a top-12 unit in 2025.