The Chicago Bears generated major buzz last offseason by naming former Detroit Lions offensive assistant Ben Johnson as their new head coach. That excitement only grew as the season unfolded, with Chicago finishing atop the standings and earning a playoff berth much sooner than many expected.

In a piece for the Chicago Tribune, reporter Sean Hammond broke down the elements behind the Bears’ dramatic turnaround under Johnson’s leadership.

According to Hammond, Johnson immediately set a new tone upon arriving at Halas Hall. His high-energy approach, sharp focus on details, commitment to building trust with his quarterback, and emphasis on mental toughness quickly began reshaping the team’s culture. Those qualities were on full display during Chicago’s historic wild-card victory over the Green Bay Packers — the largest postseason comeback the franchise has ever recorded.

Johnson made his philosophy clear from day one. Speaking in the lobby at Halas Hall during his introduction, he emphasized that everything starts inside the locker room. He stressed that the entire organization must be aligned around supporting the players and giving them every possible tool to succeed.

Johnson expressed confidence that if the team fully committed to that mindset, success would follow naturally. Wins, playoff appearances, and sustained progress, he believed, would be the result of putting players first and building the right environment.