It’s impossible for Chicago Bears fans not to notice how different this year’s team feels compared to the 2024 version — and much of that shift canÒ be credited to their new head coach, Ben Johnson.

The Bears are off to a strong 5–3 start and have taken five wins in their last six outings, firmly putting themselves in the playoff mix. Johnson deserves major credit for assembling the right group of players and fostering a locker-room environment built on accountability and belief.

During a recent media session, Johnson acknowledged the transformation in his team’s culture. But in doing so, his remarks may have come across as an unintentional jab at his former team, the Detroit Lions.

Could Chicago’s New Identity Outshine Detroit’s?

Under Dan Campbell, the Lions have become known for their gritty, tight-knit culture — but despite their progress, they’ve yet to reach the Super Bowl. Johnson, who previously served as Detroit’s offensive coordinator, seems to have taken those lessons to heart and used them to build something even stronger in Chicago.

That’s not to say the Bears are flawless. Their secondary and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams still have growing pains to work through. Yet, this year’s squad stands out for one crucial reason: resilience. When the game’s on the line, they’ve learned how to close out in the fourth quarter — something that was missing in seasons past.

There’s plenty of work ahead for this young team, but their trajectory is clearly upward. Thanks to Johnson’s leadership and his focus on creating a winning culture, Chicago appears to be building the foundation for long-term success — and perhaps even surpassing the team he left behind in Detroit.