The Chicago Bears are rolling - and the rest of the NFC North is officially on notice.
After a dominant 31-3 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 15, Chicago now sits at 10-4 and firmly in control of the division race, thanks in part to a Green Bay loss to Denver. But beyond the standings and the scoreboard, what’s turning heads around the league is the transformation happening under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. And if you're wondering whether the hype is real, just ask FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd, who called Johnson “the best first-time head coaching hire since Sean McVay.”
That’s high praise - and, frankly, not unwarranted.
A Culture Flip in Real Time
Let’s rewind for a second. The Bears opened the season 0-2.
The offense looked disjointed. The defense was banged up.
And the same old questions about identity and direction were swirling in Chicago. Fast forward to now, and they’ve gone 10-2 since, becoming one of the hottest teams in football.
What changed? In short: everything.
Johnson hasn’t just brought in a new playbook - he’s brought in a new mindset. This is a team that’s not just winning, but winning with purpose.
The postgame locker room after the Browns win wasn’t a wild celebration. It was businesslike.
Focused. The Bears had just dismantled a playoff-caliber team, and yet all eyes were already on the Packers in Week 16.
That’s the kind of cultural shift that doesn’t show up in the box score - but it shows up in the standings.
Defense Leading the Charge
While Johnson’s offensive background gets most of the attention, it’s the defense that’s quietly become one of the league’s most dangerous units. Johnson brought in Dennis Allen to coordinate the group, and the results speak for themselves.
Despite dealing with a wave of injuries, Chicago leads the NFL in takeaways with 30. That’s not a fluke - that’s a defense playing fast, physical, and smart.
They’re not just surviving adversity - they’re thriving in it. That kind of resilience is a direct reflection of the leadership at the top.
Offensive Growth, One Snap at a Time
On the offensive side, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is still a work in progress - but the progress is undeniable. Accuracy has been up and down, sure, but what stands out is how well he’s protecting the football.
For a young QB, his poise in the pocket and decision-making under pressure have been exceptional. He’s also taking fewer sacks, a credit to both his own development and a rebuilt offensive line that’s quietly become one of the league’s most reliable units.
And let’s not overlook the ground game. Chicago’s rushing attack has climbed into the top five league-wide, giving the offense a physical edge that’s helping them control tempo and wear down opponents.
The Ben Johnson Effect
It’s easy to look at wins and losses and make judgments, but what Johnson has done goes deeper than the numbers. He’s built a team that believes in itself.
A team that expects to win. A team that doesn’t flinch when things get tough.
That’s the kind of shift that doesn’t happen overnight - and it doesn’t happen without the right leader. Johnson’s ability to develop a young quarterback while simultaneously building a winning culture is rare. As Cowherd pointed out, it’s something we haven’t really seen since McVay burst onto the scene in Los Angeles.
With the NFC North title up for grabs and the playoffs looming, one thing is clear: Chicago isn’t just back - they’re building something sustainable. And Ben Johnson is at the center of it all.