Quarterback Caleb Williams, the rookie sensation drafted first overall, is the centerpiece of that rebuild. Johnson’s relationship with him mirrors the one he once had with Jared Goff — teacher and pupil, strategist and executor. “Ben’s not about quick fixes,” Williams said. “He tells me, ‘We’re going to build this the right way, even if it takes a few scars to get there.’”
Early results have been mixed. The Bears’ offense shows flashes of brilliance — creative formations, calculated risks — but inconsistency remains. Johnson’s critics say his insistence on long-term development could cost games in the short term. Supporters counter that for once, the Bears have a plan that extends beyond next Sunday.
The ghosts of Chicago’s past
No one in Chicago can escape the past. Lovie Smith’s defense. The heartbreak of 2018’s “double doink.” The endless carousel of quarterbacks. For every bold promise, there’s a scar that reminds fans of what went wrong.
Johnson, though, doesn’t shy from those ghosts. In fact, he references them often. “You can’t fix something you don’t understand,” he said recently. “To move forward, you have to look back — and learn why those teams couldn’t sustain success.”
That philosophy has informed everything from roster construction to locker room leadership. Veteran acquisitions like safety Eddie Jackson and center Cody Whitehair serve as stabilizers — veterans who understand the emotional weight of losing streaks and rebuilds. Meanwhile, Johnson’s staff, drawn from a mix of college innovators and NFL veterans, reflects his belief in blending tradition with innovation.
Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, who followed Johnson from Detroit, describes the mission succinctly: “We’re not trying to be trendy. We’re trying to be timeless.”
A team learning to grow
The Bears’ record midway through the season doesn’t tell the full story. Yes, they’ve had tough losses — heartbreakers that felt like lessons in patience. But there’s also a different kind of energy in Halas Hall.
“I’ve been here through chaos,” said wide receiver Darnell Mooney. “Now it feels like we’re finally building toward something real.”
Johnson’s practices are notoriously intense — not in volume, but in precision. Mistakes are corrected immediately. Successes are celebrated, but never exaggerated. Players say it feels like being part of a lab experiment where every movement has purpose.
“He’s got this quiet confidence,” said defensive lineman Gervon Dexter. “He doesn’t yell much. But when he does, everyone listens. He makes you believe that if you buy in, the wins will come — and not just this year.”
The city’s cautious optimism
Chicago fans, famously skeptical yet deeply loyal, are beginning to see glimmers of hope. Social media reactions after close games tell the story — frustration mixed with acknowledgment that something different is happening.
“Even when they lose, it’s not the same kind of loss,” one fan wrote on Reddit. “They’re competing. They’re creative. You can tell this coach actually has a plan.”
Local sports radio, often a furnace of cynicism, has softened its tone. Analysts point to the Bears’ improved offensive efficiency, their reduced penalty count, and their improved time-of-possession metrics as evidence that Johnson’s system is working beneath the surface.
Still, patience is thin. In Chicago, progress without results can sound like excuses. And Johnson knows it.
“We owe the fans wins,” he said after a narrow loss to Minnesota. “Not promises — wins. But you can’t grow a tree by pulling it every day to make it taller.”
The locker room shift
Perhaps the most remarkable change under Johnson isn’t visible on the field — it’s in the locker room.
For years, the Bears were defined by internal tension. Offense versus defense. Players doubting leadership. A sense that everyone was waiting for the next firing. Now, veterans describe a culture of accountability that feels new.
“He’s honest with us,” said running back Khalil Herbert. “If you mess up, he tells you why. If you do well, he tells you how to do it again. There’s no ego in it.”
