The Bears entered the 2007 season as the National Football Conference Champions .
The Bears had hopes of returning to the Super Bowl , but instead finished the season with a disappointing 7 -- 9 record , Thus missing the playoffs for the first time since 2004 .
The Bears entered the 2007 season as the National Football Conference Champions and had hopes of returning to the Super Bowl , but instead finished the season with a disappointing 7 -- 9 record , Thus missing the playoffs for the first time since 2004 .