when did the bears last make the playoffs

The Chicago Bears most recently made the NFL playoffs in the 2025 season , clinching a postseason berth in late December 2025.

Quick Scoop

• The Bears snapped their playoff drought by securing a spot in the 2025 NFL postseason, their first trip back since the 2020 season.

• Their previous playoff appearance before that came in the 2020 season, when they lost to the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card Round.

Recent Playoff Timeline

• 2025 season: Returned to the playoffs after results late in the year locked in a postseason berth.

• 2020 season: Reached the playoffs at 8–8 and fell 21–9 to the Saints in the Wild Card Round.

• Before 2020, the prior appearance was the 2018 season, ending with the “double-doink” loss to the Eagles.

Context for Fans and Forums

• The phrase “when did the Bears last make the playoffs” now points to the 2025 season, not 2020, because their more recent berth broke the five-year gap.

• In forum and social discussions, fans often contrast the 2025 return with the frustration of missing out from 2021–2024 despite the franchise’s long, historic playoff history.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.