NFL legend Steve Smith leaves no doubt about his opinion of Bears WR room

Former NFL wide receiver Steve Smith believes that the Chicago Bears’ wide receiver room is among the best in the league.

Smith spoke about his thoughts on the wealth of wide receiver talent that the Bears will have at their disposal in the upcoming season.

In a recent episode of the “89 Show” podcast, the former Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens player made it clear that Chicago will have one of the best offenses in the NFL this season.

“This is what I’m talking about, the Chicago Bears, bear down because you’re about to get some news,” Smith said. “I don’t think there’s a defense that Ben Johnson does not feel comfortable attacking with this new rebuilt wide receiver room.”

The former five-time Pro Bowler further discussed his case, saying that Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III will flourish under head coach Johnson’s system.

“I believe [they] can be one of the best young rooms in the NFL who has no damn idea what they’re doing yet,” Smith continued. ”This wide receiver room is hitting every level of the field, and they have one of the best masterminds that you can do.”

There is NO defense that Ben Johnson is scared of with this #Bears WR Room. I fully expect them to be contenders in the NFC with this offensive talent and playcalling #DaBears pic.twitter.com/QIWHyYXtfO

— Steve Smith Sr. (@SteveSmithSr89) July 24, 2026

Steve Smith sees the Chicago Bears as potential NFC champions in 2026

Apart from Odunze and Burden, Chicago will still have their star quarterback Caleb Williams alongside tight end Colston Loveland, which makes their team stacked and ready to compete.

With this in mind, Smith believes they present problems to opposing defenses and could eclipse their 11-6 record last season.

“You’re going to be cooking with gas and making a whole lot of money and making some people on defense question themselves, I’m telling you,” Smith proclaimed. “I think this is going to be a really good year.”

But Smith needs the team to step up their passing game, and when they do, he projects them to be the top team in the NFC.

“The part that everyone is concerned about is when is the passing game going to consistently show up like the run game,” he added. “And if it can show up consistently like the run game, man, we might be looking at the division winners right here.”

The Bears will begin their NFL season against the Panthers in Week 1 on Sept. 13 at Bank of America Stadium.