The excitement around Ben Johnson’s appointment as Chicago Bears head coach is unmistakable. For the first time in decades, it feels like the organization landed the best available candidate. He’s widely regarded as one of the best offensive minds in football and exactly what Caleb Williams needs to take his game to the next level. Johnson admitted the Bears’ young quarterback was a central reason for taking the job. However, that doesn’t mean the head coach has any intention of coddling Williams.
Or any of his players, for that matter.
During his introductory press conference, multiple key team members were in attendance to hear Johnson speak. Among them were Williams, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet. All three will likely be central to his offensive plans. In the midst of his speech, Johnson turned to look directly at them. What he said next was an unmistakable message.
“Get comfortable being uncomfortable. The bar has been set higher than it’s ever been set before. The only way for this team and for you as individual players to reach your potential is to be pushed and to be challenged. And that’s exactly what I and my staff plan on doing.”
The Chicago Bears wanted discipline. They’re about to get it.
When he first arrived in 1982, Mike Ditka told the locker room that he was going to find out who really wanted to play this game and who didn’t. It sounds like Johnson has the same intentions. He plans to push everybody in that locker room, with the double intent of making guys better and also weeding out the weaklings. For too long, it has felt like Chicago Bears players aren’t getting pushed enough, which often explains their inability to execute in crunch time and the constant mistakes. Johnson aims to clean all of that up. If guys aren’t willing to take the instruction and put in the work, they won’t be on the team much longer. Guys like Kmet, Jaylon Johnson, and other veterans will probably love that. They crave accountability. This head coach seems ready to provide it. We’re about to find out how well he can motivate.
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Everything is hunky dory right now in the honeymoon. How long will the honeymoon last until the media knives come out? Will the fans again be completely hyped up by the media all through camp and then find out new realities as the season gets going? We’ll see. How about we start hearing about assistant coaches and getting the lines rebuilt please?
@BearCub30 I know you don’t get credit for press conferences in the win column, but damn, this one couldn’t have been any better. I can’t remember one where they all, but especially the coach, collectively had their shit together like that. Ditka was maybe more entertaining back in the day, but I have not heard one this good that I can remember…and especially not from Eberflus or Nagy.
@Arnie – You take the meatballs seriously? It’s not to hard to tell who is really interested and vested in understanding this team. We all get tossed in some waves sometimes with the media. But I wouldn’t get to wrapped up in these guys. Man though that press conference was like tasting candy for the first time in your life wasn’t it? Incredible stuff. Just mad we wasted hardknocks on last year!
I remember when Lovie Smith became coach. told them to be in shape before training camp. Players were dropping like flies before the season started. I actually wondered if there was going to be enough players left to field a team by the time the season started. Worked at well. I’m just wondering if Booker is going to do what Dexter did this offseason and come in chiseled with a few pounds added. That would save them from having to get a DE. I think they need to sign Dalman a center from Atlanta. Draft a DT and two offensive… Read more »