Pat McAfee On The Chicago Bears: ‘The Kings of the North’
The Chicago Bears are 8-3, and while their impressive record has been met with some skepticism across the league, one of the biggest voices in sports media is now firmly in their corner. ESPN’s Pat McAfee made a bold statement on his show, declaring that the surprising Bears are not a fluke and have established themselves as a legitimate contender.
After years of struggles, Chicago’s success has been one of the major storylines of the 2025 NFL season. However, their 8-3 record has been viewed with caution by some analysts. McAfee, however, is ready to crown the new leaders of the NFC North.
Pat McAfee Crowns the Chicago Bears As ‘Kings of the North’
During a segment on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the host didn’t mince words about his belief in the Bears. “The Bears are the Kings of the North,” McAfee proclaimed. “This is real.”
He credited the team’s success to the synergy between first-year head coach Ben Johnson and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. McAfee drew parallels to Johnson’s work with Jared Goff in Detroit, noting how Johnson built an efficient system. He explained that for Williams to thrive in that system, several key components needed to be in place, and the Bears have successfully assembled them.
“You need a great offensive line, they invested into the offensive line,” McAfee pointed out. “You need a great run game.” With those elements established, McAfee believes Williams has fully bought into Johnson’s system, and the positive results are now undeniable.
Caleb Williams and the Bears’ Turnaround
Williams, the first overall pick in the draft, has been a key part of Chicago’s resurgence. While his completion percentage (59.2%) is still developing, his decision-making has been impressive. He has thrown for 2,568 yards with 16 touchdowns against only four interceptions. That 4-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio is an elite mark for any quarterback, let alone a rookie leading a team to a winning record.
The Bears’ front office has surrounded him with talent, strengthening the offensive line and building a strong running game to support the young quarterback. This balanced approach has allowed the offense to flourish and has put the team in a position to compete with the best in the conference.
A Black Friday Test Against the Champions
The Bears will have a massive opportunity to prove McAfee right and silence any remaining doubters. They are set to face the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in a nationally televised game on Black Friday. A strong performance in that high-profile matchup would serve as a definitive announcement of their arrival as a true contender in the NFC. Until then, the endorsement from a high-profile personality like Pat McAfee adds significant weight to the narrative that this Chicago Bears team is, in fact, the real deal.
