On Black Friday, the Chicago Bears sent a loud message: they are for real, and the doubters can sit down.
Critics are still clinging to narratives like “The Eagles haven’t faced anyone tough yet” or “That win against Green Bay doesn’t count because of injuries.” The excuses will keep coming, but the truth is undeniable—the Bears are a legitimate, high-level football team.
I’ve been telling fans to temper their expectations because everything past “surviving” is just a bonus. But then came the statement game: Chicago went into Philadelphia and handed the defending Super Bowl champs a two-score loss.
So why are the Bears suddenly looking so sharp? The answer is straightforward: Ben Johnson. Do Bears fans fully grasp what he brings to this team? Probably not.
Johnson is, in many ways, the offensive equivalent of a prime Bill Belichick. Not the current “legend-in-name-only” version—this is the real deal.
The edge he gives Chicago is hard to measure. It’s no coincidence that this Bears team consistently looks its best in the fourth quarter. It’s not just heart or grit—it’s the play-calling genius of Johnson. He treats the first three quarters as a learning lab, studying how defenses respond, and then unleashes the perfect plan when it counts most. Caleb Williams might execute, but Johnson is orchestrating the symphony.
Sure, his head coaching resume isn’t filled with trophies yet, but it’s only a matter of time before accolades, playoff victories, and division titles follow.
Consider this: which NFL coach would you swap straight up for Ben Johnson? And I mean looking at the long-term picture, not just today. Andy Reid? Retirement is looming. Sean McVay? Will he stay put, or will a TV career lure him away? Kyle Shanahan? Can he finally break through and win it all? At this moment, there isn’t a coach in the league I’d choose over Johnson. Not one. And he’s still young in his career.
What’s his ceiling? How far can this go? With only four seasons of play-calling under his belt, Johnson is already elevating the Bears in ways that veteran coaches take decades to achieve.
Having followed the Bears for decades and covered the NFL professionally for 25 years, I can confidently say this: while it may not be the single greatest offensive line or run-game performance ever, it’s the best I’ve seen in over 15 years.
Consider the context: the Eagles boast arguably the best defensive coordinator in NFL history, a dominant front four, and solid linebackers. And yet, Chicago’s offense controlled the line of scrimmage. They made the defense look unsure and reactive, consistently winning at the point of attack.
Ben Johnson has reset expectations at Halas Hall. Fans now have a new baseline: the Bears are no longer a team to watch, they are a team to fear. The transformation is clear, and the credit belongs to one man.
Would I tell him to take a bow? He’d shrug it off—he knows the work is far from over.
