Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson isn’t shying away from the franchise’s painful past with quarterbacks – in fact, he’s embracing it head-on.
Chicago is the only team in the NFL that has never had a 4,000-yard passer in a single season. But that bleak stat is just fuel for Johnson, who is looking to lead a long-overdue offensive revolution in the Windy City.
“I love it, I love it. I love the opportunity to come in and change that narrative. That’s where great stories are written, so we’re looking to write a new chapter here with the 2025 Chicago Bears, and we’re looking forward to the future,” Johnson said.
Johnson, one of the league’s most sought-after coaching candidates the past several years, inherits a franchise that has spent decades searching for stability under center.
The 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams is expected to be the centerpiece of that transformation, and general manager Ryan Poles spent the offseason constructing a roster built to help the former USC star thrive.
Poles overhauled the offensive line, bolstered the receiving corps, and hired Johnson – formerly the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions – for his innovative, quarterback-friendly approach.
Now, the Bears have a chance to do what once felt impossible: develop a top-tier quarterback and build a sustainable contender in the NFC.
Chicago’s struggles in the modern NFL era are well documented.
The Bears haven’t reached the postseason since 2020 and haven’t made back-to-back playoff appearances since 2005–06.
For a franchise with one of the richest histories in the league, recent decades have been marked by inconsistency and frustration.
Johnson isn’t promising instant success, especially in a fiercely competitive NFC North where all three division rivals made the playoffs in 2024. Still, he’s bringing an aggressive mindset and a fresh identity to a team starving for both.
The road ahead won’t be easy. Chicago faces one of the toughest schedules in the league this season, with matchups against the NFC East and AFC North.
That means Caleb Williams and company will square off against powerhouse defenses from teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Needless to say, there will be few soft spots on the calendar.
But expectations are growing in Chicago, and much of that optimism revolves around Williams’ potential leap in Year 2.
The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner flashed elite traits at times throughout his rookie season, and with Johnson’s guidance, the Bears believe they finally have the coaching infrastructure to unlock his full potential.
Johnson brings a proven track record of quarterback development and offensive innovation from Detroit, where he helped Jared Goff rejuvenate his career.
Now, the 39-year-old coach is tasked with reshaping the Bears into a modern, explosive team.
There may be growing pains in Johnson’s first season, but the pieces are in place for real progress.
With a franchise quarterback, a rebuilt offense, and a bold new coach, the 2025 Bears are aiming to shatter old narratives.
Interestingly, Caleb Williams’ own father was scared of his son being drafted by the team where “quarterbacks go to die” … But with Johnson now in charge, will we soon be able to put that narrative to bed???
