The 2005 season was the Chicago Bears' 86th in the National Football League (NFL). The team improved to an 11–5 record from a 5–11 record in 2004, earning them their first playoff birth and NFC North title since 2001 and the second seed in the NFC for the playoffs. The season started off with the team trying to rebound from a 5–11 season under now coach Lovie Smith. Smith, in his first year with the Bears, had been eager to lead his young team to a Super Bowl, but a preseason injury to starting quarterback Rex Grossman spelled disaster for the Bears.