How Johnson Transformed the Bears in His First Season as Head Coach
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- George McCaskey, the chairman of the Chicago Bears, left the practice fields behind Halas Hall with a sense of awe and admiration. The scorching temperatures during the afternoon session on August 5, 2025, marked the 12th and final day of training camp. It was a physically demanding practice, filled with live tackling and intense competition, reminiscent of the two-a-days era from the 1980s and early 1990s when the Bears were one of the toughest and most respected teams in the NFL. During that time, capturing the division and winning double-digit games over consecutive seasons were common achievements.
That day, McCaskey closely observed Ben Johnson, the man tasked with guiding the Bears toward relevancy and sustained success. He saw the players' determination and hard work as indicated by the heated atmosphere, which was the early result of the team's buy-in with their new head coach. Johnson's impact was already evident, as the Bears more than doubled their win total from 2024 (when they finished 5-12) and won the NFC North with an 11-6 record in his first season.
Johnson is a finalist for the league's Coach of the Year award, which will be announced at NFL Honors on Thursday (9 p.m. ET, NBC). His success in 2025 is not unique; four of the five AP Coach of the Year finalists were either first- or second-year coaches, including Johnson, Mike Vrabel of New England, Liam Coen of Jacksonville, and Mike McDonald of Seattle. All four coaches led their teams to the playoffs.
The Bears' 31-27 win over the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round marked their first postseason victory in 15 years and reignited the NFL's oldest rivalry. Johnson's hiring from Detroit in January 2025 was a key factor in this turnaround. He enjoyed beating Packers coach Matt LaFleur twice a year, and his ability to back up this declaration with results had a profound effect on his players. The Bears beat the Packers twice in a season, including the playoffs, for the first time since 2007.
Jaquan Brisker, a safety, praised Johnson's impact on the team, noting his ability to change the culture and be a player's coach. From the first team meeting in April, Johnson made it clear that the Bears could win now, and he consistently emphasized this message throughout the season, even after back-to-back division losses, including a devastating defeat by Detroit in Week 2.
Rome Odunze, a wide receiver, appreciated Johnson's consistency and determination. He felt that Johnson's goals and vision for the organization were clear from the start, and he led by example and vocally. This consistency was a refreshing change for the Bears, who had gone through four different head coaches in 12 years.
The Bears underwent a significant identity shift in Johnson's first year, not only in team dynamics but also in how they were constructed to win. They ranked first in the NFL in turnover margin for the first time since 1985, when they won the Super Bowl and allowed the fewest points and yards. Chicago has historically relied on its defense to win games, but Johnson's hiring signaled a shift in what the Bears were capable of.
Johnson transformed the offense, which had ranked in the bottom five in total yards and scoring, into top-9 units. He played a crucial role in the development of quarterback Caleb Williams, who set the franchise's single-season passing record with 3,942 yards and a 27-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio, ranking fifth in the league. The 'Cardiac Bears' moniker became synonymous with the 2025 Bears, reflecting their ability to pull out wins in the final moments of games.
Johnson's 'Good, better, best' victory chant became a rallying cry for his team and captured the spirit of the city of Chicago. The Bears achieved seven wins in the regular season and playoffs when trailing in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter. Caleb Williams praised Johnson as the catalyst for the team's success, highlighting his ability to lead, stand strong in tough moments, and show emotion consistently.
