Ben Johnson is officially running the show in Chicago - and not just on Sundays.
After months of speculation, it’s now confirmed: the Bears’ new head coach has significant control over personnel decisions. That means GM Ryan Poles can’t sign, draft, or trade for a player unless Johnson gives the green light. It’s a rare setup in today’s NFL, but the early returns suggest the Bears might’ve made the right call.
Take a look at Chicago’s 2025 draft class. It’s shaping up to be one of the most promising groups the franchise has seen in years.
Tight end Colston Loveland already looks like a future star. Wide receiver Luther Burden didn’t just meet expectations - he blew past them.
Offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo was making a strong case for himself as a long-term solution on the left side before suffering a knee injury, and seventh-round running back Kyle Monangai turned out to be a late-round gem. That’s a strong track record for Johnson in Year 1, and it shows he’s not just a sharp offensive mind - he’s got an eye for talent, too.
But with the 2026 draft on the horizon, the dynamic between Johnson’s offensive focus and the team’s defensive needs could get tested.
The Bears are expected to prioritize the defensive side of the ball this offseason. That’s where the biggest holes are, and it’s where the roster needs the most help.
The problem? Defense isn’t Johnson’s wheelhouse - and there’s growing buzz that he might push to use the team’s first-round pick on a left tackle instead.
If that’s the case, it wouldn’t be a surprise.
Johnson has been laser-focused on stabilizing the left tackle position since he arrived. The Bears had a revolving door at the spot last season, starting four different players: Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet, Trapilo, and eventually Joe Thuney.
That kind of instability can wreck an offense, especially one built around timing and protection schemes like Johnson’s. With Trapilo recovering from injury and no clear answer on the roster, it’s understandable why Johnson might want to invest premium capital into locking down that position once and for all.
But here’s the dilemma: going left tackle in the first round could come at the expense of upgrading a defense that desperately needs reinforcements. And if Johnson does push for another offensive lineman early, it would mean betting against the odds.
History tells us that elite left tackles usually come off the board in the top half of the first round. Finding one later - especially outside the first round - is rare.
Christian Darrisaw, who went 23rd overall to Minnesota, is one of the few recent examples of a high-end left tackle found in the back half of the round.
So now the question becomes: how far is Johnson willing to go to fix the offensive line - and specifically, the left tackle spot? Is he ready to override the team’s broader defensive priorities to address a position that’s haunted him since day one?
We’ll find out soon enough. But one thing’s clear - Ben Johnson isn’t just coaching the Bears. He’s shaping them.