Ndamukong Suh praises the Chicago Bears as potential ‘silent killers’ in the NFC North heading into the 2025 season.
Jan 5, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears are generating buzz heading into the 2025 season, and now they have an endorsement from an unlikely source—former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who believes the Bears could emerge as “silent killers” in the competitive NFC North.
Suh’s Bold Prediction
Speaking on Kay Adams’ “Up & Adams” show, the former five-time Pro Bowl selection offered his assessment of the NFC North landscape. While Suh still expects his former team, the Lions, to capture a third consecutive division title, he sees the Bears as a dangerous wild card capable of disrupting expectations.
“It is wide open, I think the Bears are going to be silent killers, they’re going to create a lot of havoc,” Suh said. “I’m curious to see what Caleb [Williams] is able to do, especially in his second year, but I do believe Detroit will pull it off.”
The prediction carries extra weight coming from Suh, who spent his first five NFL seasons in Detroit and understands the Bears-Lions rivalry intimately. His assessment suggests the Bears could be the type of team that plays spoiler while building toward future success.
The Ben Johnson Factor
Aug 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson on the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field.
Central to Suh’s optimism about Chicago is the hiring of head coach Ben Johnson, who spent three seasons (2022-2024) as the Lions’ offensive coordinator before making the cross-division jump to Chicago. Johnson played a crucial role in Detroit’s offensive transformation that helped make them NFC contenders.
“Some of the defensive pieces that they have, but ultimately I think that coach and the general team is going to rally and find a way to be competitive no matter what,” Suh explained. “I think Caleb and that offense are going to find a groove late in the season, and they’re going to be a team to reckon with.”
More Sports News
.wp-block-group__inner-container:has(> .embla),
.wp-block-group:where(.alignfull) > .wp-block-group__inner-container:has(> .embla) {
width: calc(100vw – (var(–side-spacing) * 2)) !important;
}
.embla {
position: relative;
overflow: hidden;
}
.embla__container {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: nowrap;
gap: 0 !important;
width: 75%;
}
.embla__slide {
margin-inline-end: var(–column-gap);
}
.embla__arrow,
.embla__arrow:active,
.embla__arrow:target,
.embla__arrow:hover,
.embla__arrow:focus-visible {
display: none;
position: absolute;
top: 50%;
transform: translateY(-50%);
width: 40px;
height: 40px;
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
line-height: 0;
background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.75);
color: var(–color-primary);
border-radius: 100vw;
svg {
width: 24px;
}
}
.embla__prev {
left: 0;
}
.embla__next {
right: 0;
}
]]>
The Johnson hire has intensified the Bears-Lions rivalry, as Chicago essentially poached one of the architects of Detroit’s recent success. Suh’s comments suggest that move could pay immediate dividends for the Bears.
Caleb Williams’ Sophomore Surge
A key component of Suh’s prediction centers on quarterback Caleb Williams entering his second NFL season. The former USC star and first overall pick showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie but struggled with consistency—a common challenge for young quarterbacks.
Suh’s reference to Williams in “his second year” suggests he expects the typical sophomore leap that many quarterbacks experience as they become more comfortable with NFL speed and complexity. If Williams can harness his considerable talent more consistently, it could be the catalyst that transforms the Bears from rebuilders to contenders.
Defensive Foundation
While much attention focuses on the offensive side under Johnson, Suh, a defensive expert with five All-Pro selections and a Super Bowl ring, specifically praised Chicago’s defensive pieces. The Bears have invested heavily in their defense in recent years, and Suh’s recognition of those moves validates the organization’s approach.
The combination of defensive talent and Johnson’s offensive innovation could create the type of balanced team capable of surprising opponents, particularly as the season progresses and young players develop.
Late-Season Surge Potential
Perhaps most intriguingly, Suh specifically mentioned the Bears finding their groove “late in the season.” This timeline aligns with how many young teams develop—struggling early as they learn new systems before putting pieces together down the stretch.
For Bears fans, this prediction offers hope that even if the team starts slowly, they could be building toward something special by season’s end. Late-season momentum often carries over into the following year, potentially accelerating Chicago’s return to relevance.
Rivalry Implications
Suh’s comments add another layer to what promises to be a heated Bears-Lions rivalry in 2025. With Johnson now leading Chicago after helping orchestrate Detroit’s rise, every meeting between these teams will carry extra significance.
The fact that a former Lions star sees the Chicago Bears as legitimate threats speaks to how much the landscape has shifted in the NFC North. While Detroit remains the favorite, Suh’s “silent killers” label suggests Chicago could be the team nobody sees coming until it’s too late.
Subscribe to On Tap Sports Net on YouTube and the Bears On Tap podcast for more Chicago Bears content, updates, and hot takes!