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Ranking the NFC Contenders with the 49ers: The Bears are all-in

What a few days in the NFL world, specifically the NFC. The San Francisco 49ers welcome back an old friend in DeForest Buckner, Seattle welcomes the NFL’s best guard, and now the Bears send two first-round picks for DT Jeffrey…

By Jason Aponte · Niners Nation

Published: Thursday, 29 October 2026 at 5:32 PM

Key Things to Know

Jason Aponte ranks the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, and Minnesota Vikings as the top NFC contenders.
The Chicago Bears made an aggressive move by trading two first-round draft picks for defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons.
Aponte argues the 49ers remain the conference frontrunners with a 6-1 record and key players returning.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Jason Aponte evaluates the top NFC contenders following several major league moves, ranking the San Francisco 49ers as the primary team to beat in the conference. The Chicago Bears made a major push by sending two first-round picks to acquire defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons, while the Seattle Seahawks and undefeated Minnesota Vikings also remain in the championship picture.

Aponte ranks San Francisco first, followed closely by Seattle, Chicago, and Minnesota. The writer argues that the 49ers and Seahawks hold the edge over Chicago due to their defensive strength and playoff experience, while Minnesota ranks fourth due to offensive inconsistencies.

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Ranking the NFC Contenders with the 49ers: The Bears are all-in

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