Bayless Says Bears Outdraw Bulls in Chicago
Skip Bayless argued on First Take that the Chicago Bears have more fan support in the city than Michael Jordan's Bulls.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football
On First Take, Skip Bayless said the Chicago Bears are bigger in Chicago than Michael Jordan's Bulls, responding to Caleb Williams's comments that the city stayed a Bears town through the Jordan dynasty. The argument came after the Bears beat the Seattle Seahawks 34-17 on Monday night to improve to 6-2.
Why it matters
The debate centers on how Chicago's sports loyalties are measured, with Bayless pointing to the Cubs and White Sox as well as the Bears as evidence against the Bulls' dominance. It also reflects how a team's recent success and a long championship drought can shape a city's sports identity.
Caleb Williams completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown in the 34-17 win over Seattle, lifting the Bears to 6-2. The Bears have not won a Super Bowl in 41 years, compared with six championships won by Jordan's Bulls.
The players
Skip Bayless
Skip Bayless is a longtime sports commentator known for his opinionated debate segments on ESPN's First Take.
Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams is the Chicago Bears quarterback who was the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The details
Bayless made the case on First Take after Williams said he had been told Chicago remained a Bears town through the Jordan dynasty. He also said the Cubs and White Sox draw more support in Chicago than the Bulls and criticized Quinnen Williams for using the word 'execute' 32 times in five minutes.
Timeline
Monday night: The Bears beat the Seahawks 34-17 at Lumen Field.
Tuesday: Bayless made the argument on First Take.
Season Trajectory
The Bears' 6-2 start comes after decades without a Super Bowl title, making their current run a test of whether a winning record can rival the Bulls' six championships in Chicago's sports memory. The debate also reflects how Chicago's teams compete for fan loyalty across the NFL, NBA, and MLB markets.
The Bears' 6-2 record keeps them in the mix for the NFC playoff picture heading into the middle of the season. Fantasy managers tracking Caleb Williams can note his 247-yard, one-touchdown outing against Seattle as a baseline for his recent output.
The takeaway
The argument over whether the Bears or the Bulls own Chicago reflects how a city's sports identity can shift with on-field success. Fans weighing team loyalty can compare recent results with long-term championship history.
Further reading
For more on the Bears' season, see Chicago Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportskeeda.
