The Chicago Cubs are riding a wave of good energy as they move towards a 2026 season full of positive expectations.
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For the first time in a long time, the team went out and checked off all the “must have” boxes by acquiring free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, trading for starter Edward Cabrera, and fully rebuilding a depleted bullpen.
All this Cubs positivity is also linked with the great energy generated by a resurgent Chicago Bears franchise that, despite a tough overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, has captured the hearts and minds of Chicago fandom. That link between the two teams became concrete when the news of Bregman’s signing broke just as the Bears were making a miraculous comeback against the Green Bay Packers in their Wild Card game.
Pete Crow-Armstrong and Caleb Williams on the town
Oct 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) reacts after striking out against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning during game three of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
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The Cubs-Bears bond was further sealed when the two young faces of the reinvigorated Chicago franchises, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Caleb Williams, were caught on video at Monday’s Chicago Blackhawks game, cheering on the home team and mugging for the camera like the 23, 24-year-olds that they are.
PCA x Caleb Williams front row at the United Center tonight just feels correct 🙂↕️
pic.twitter.com/nzqMwKGDUg
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) January 20, 2026
PCA’s two tales of 2025, focus for 2026
Apr 22, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) runs after he hits a two run home run during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Crow-Armstrong had a rough end to a 2025 season that began with nothing but highlight reel spots for the sophomore talent and his first All-Star Game appearance.
At the All-Star break, “PCA” was hitting .265 with 25 home runs, 71 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases. The rest of the way, though, he hit just 6 home runs, drove in 24, and posted a .216 batting average. His .185 batting average in postseason play was also a low point.
The multi-tool talent plans on getting back to his roots as a player in 2026 and, offensively, focusing more on the fine points of getting on base.
“I still don’t think I consider myself a home run hitter,” Armstrong said in a Cubs Convention interview with 670 the Score. “Power hitter, maybe, only because of the doubles. But, again, I don’t really view myself that way. I’m still 6-foot, 190 lbs, you know. I’m not a very imposing figure out there…
“I think I still have the ability to go hit .290 and do a little bit better job of that OBP [On Base Percentage] number, because that’s what it always was, growing up in Southern California, bat-to-ball, get on base, really learning how to play the game…That’s only hard to do now because of how good everybody is up at this level…I think there’s a lot of ways to get back that version of myself…and I think the power will still be there with all that.”
PCA-Caleb: A growing power-bromance
Jan 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up before the game between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
What PCA doesn’t have to work on, however, is his ability to connect with Cubs loyalists and Chicago fans in general. He seems to legitimately love the city and the city seems to love him back– as evidenced by the loud roar at the United Center when Bears quarterback Williams directed the camera towards him.
The budding PCA-Caleb bromance began a while ago, but was affirmed when the Cubs center fielder promised to be on hand to support Williams and the Bears at Soldier Field against the Rams.
“Caleb’s the man,” Crow-Armstrong told media at the time. “We don’t know each other that well at this point, but he’s been very supportive of this team and me, specifically, since he’s been out here…
“It’s only right that I dive right in and go support our franchise quarterback because he’s a special talent. But then I think what we’re getting to see as we play deeper into the year is how good of a player he is. I’m proud to follow suit and hopefully take on some role like that eventually.”
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