🐻Why It’s Different in Chicago This Time
By Shawn Lugo
For over 100 years, the Bears have mostly been reactive, not proactive, lacked QB vision and offensive innovation, chased old-school toughness instead of modern football smarts.
This guy in the building is a lot different than anyone that’s ever even stepped foot in Lake Forest in over 100 years.
🧠Ben Johnson: More Than Just a Play Caller
Why He’s That Guy:
Elite situational awareness – Red zone, 3rd down, end of half/game.
QB-friendly system – Built Goff back up with layered reads, clear progressions, protection focus.
Adaptability – Doesn’t force a rigid system. Tailors to what players do well, especially QBs.
Mature leadership – He was commanding respect like a HC even before getting hired.
This isn't a gimmick guy or flavor-of-the-year OC. This is the MAN many teams wanted to build their organizations around and he chose the Bears! That tells you he sees something long-term: Culture, QB, weapons, and front office alignment.
But can Ben Johnson finally change Chicago’s brutal history under center? That’s the mission. Caleb has to hit, because everything hinges on building a real, sustained offense around him. This is the shot, the chance to do what decades of regimes couldn’t.
What we hope happens:
✅ Sustained success
✅ A legitimate, contender-level offense
✅ Finally breaking the curse of bad QB play and even worse offensive coaching
This isn’t Nagy scheming endless screens. This isn’t Trestman trying to teach calculus to Jay Cutler. This is intentional, quarterback-centered, modern football. Built to grow with your franchise QB — not confuse him.
🐻Chicago Bears 2025 Season Outlook
✅My Analysis:
Ben Johnson (Play Caller):
If he lives up to the hype and brings Detroit’s offensive creativity to Chicago, that’s a massive upgrade. Expect better sequencing, more motion, and play-action looks to help Caleb early.
Caleb Williams:
If he adapts quickly to Ben's offense, this offense could explode. His ability to throw off-platform and make second-reaction plays could be the X-factor.
Weapons & Interior OL:
DJ Moore + Rome Odunze + Oz + Burden+ Loveland is filthy on paper. And the interior, especially Joe Thuney, Dalman, and hopefully Jackson lead an upgraded unit that should help protect Caleb and set up the run game.
⚠️Cons Analysis:
Pass Rush Issues:
Montez Sweat is solid, but if you can’t get home with 4 consistently, you’re leaning heavily on blitzes — dangerous with DBs or questionable coverage LBs/S.
Coverage Over the Middle (ILBs/S):
Still a weak point. If teams exploit the seams or isolate backs/TEs, this defense might give up easy yards on 3rd down.
LT Question Mark:
Braxton Jones hasn't proven he's a long-term LT1. Against elite NFC North edge rushers (e.g., Rashan Gary, Aidan Hutchinson,and Jonathan Gerrard this could be a problem.)
Tough Division:
Lions – Still elite on both sides.
Packers – Front seven on D.
Vikings – Even with a rookie QB, they have weapons + Brian Flores' chaos defense.
RB Room Uncertain:
D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, and Kyle Monangai is OK but lacks a true every-down back or elite pass protector.
📈Projected Record (Realistic Range): 8-9 to 11–6
Best Case (11–6):
Caleb is the truth right out the gate.
Ben Johnson schemes around LT weakness.
Pass rush does just enough; coverage holds up. Bears go 4-2 in the division.
Worst Case (7–10):
Caleb takes longer to adjust.
LT + pass rush issues are exploited.
Division beats them up (1–5 or 2–4).
Defense regresses or remains mid-tier.
✍️Final Take: The optimism is real, but so are the soft spots. The trenches need reinforcements, the secondary has questions, and the linebacker depth is thin. Still, if Ben Johnson is the real deal and the Bears give him time to build, and if Caleb Williams can truly ball out, we might be witnessing the birth of the best coach-QB pairing in Chicago history and the most dangerous long-term threat in the NFC North.
This could be a playoff team if things click early. But make no mistake, the climb in the NFC North is steep!
Put it this way:
If Ben Johnson hits, the Bears aren’t just good, they’re relevant again!
