Ben Johnson didn’t take the Chicago Bears job to slowly build toward something. He came in with a clear message: *We’re here to win now.
- And through 12 games, that message is ringing loud and clear. The Bears are 9-3, sitting atop the NFC and leading their division.
But if you think Johnson is kicking back and admiring the view from the top, think again.
Ask him about the No. 1 seed or the division lead, and you’ll get a quick reality check. Johnson isn’t interested in hypotheticals or early celebrations. He’s locked in on the next opponent-Green Bay-and he’s made it clear that this team hasn’t earned anything yet.
“The job is not done,” Johnson said. “We haven’t accomplished anything yet.
We’re at nine wins. I think this year, you’re probably going to have to get to 11 to make it in the tournament.
That’s what we need to do. We’ve got to get there first.
We’ve got to find a way to get there, and the only way to do that is to find a way to be 1-0 this week.”
That’s the mindset of a coach who understands the landscape. Because the NFC is no joke this season.
Four teams are sitting at nine wins. The Packers and Eagles are right behind at eight.
There’s no breathing room, no margin for error. Nine wins might get you a pat on the back, but it won’t punch your ticket to January.
Johnson knows the math. With five games left, Chicago needs two more wins to hit that 11-win threshold he believes is the benchmark for a playoff spot. But the road ahead is anything but smooth.
Only one game on the remaining schedule looks like a favorable matchup on paper-next week against Cleveland. The rest?
A gauntlet. Two games against the Packers, who are nipping at the Bears’ heels in the NFC North race.
A showdown with the 49ers, who are 9-4 and built for December football. And then there’s Detroit, who didn’t just beat the Bears earlier this season-they dismantled them, 52-21.
So yeah, nothing’s locked in. And Johnson isn’t pretending otherwise.
This is where the rubber meets the road. If the Bears want to be taken seriously-not just as playoff contenders, but as a team that can make real noise-they have to prove it.
That starts with handling business in Green Bay. A win at Lambeau isn’t just another W in the standings; it’s a statement.
It’s a chance to send a message to the rest of the NFC that Chicago isn’t just a feel-good story-they’re a legitimate threat.
Johnson’s approach isn’t flashy. It’s focused.
And that focus is exactly what this Bears team will need to navigate the toughest stretch of their season. The playoffs aren’t promised.
Respect isn’t given. It’s earned-one win at a time.