Ben Johnson’s Calm in the Chaos Is Exactly What the Bears Have Been Missing
In a league where head coaching turnover is practically a yearly tradition, finding the right leader can feel like winning the lottery. But after just one season at the helm, it’s starting to look like the Chicago Bears may have finally hit the jackpot with Ben Johnson.
And when a Hall of Famer like Mike Singletary - one of the most respected voices in football and a Bears legend through and through - takes notice, it means something.
Singletary recently shared his thoughts on Johnson’s first year leading the Bears, and his praise zeroed in on something that doesn’t show up in the box score: poise under pressure.
“When everything’s going against him… when Caleb Williams does something that’s like, ‘Oh my goodness, are you kidding me? What are you doing?’” Singletary said, “Most coaches would be throwing something, choking somebody or whatever.”
But Johnson? He’s not that guy.
He’s not the sideline screamer or the clipboard snapper. According to Singletary, Johnson stays composed - teeth gritted, mind working, always searching for the right way to steady the ship and get his team back on course.
“And to me,” Singletary added, “that’s what I saw over and over. And that was a good thing to see.”
It’s not just talk. We saw it all season long.
The Bears were a fourth-quarter team in 2025. They trailed late, they made mistakes, and their rookie quarterback had his share of “what was that?”
moments. But they never folded.
They never looked rattled. And that starts at the top.
Johnson’s ability to maintain composure when things get messy has clearly rubbed off on Caleb Williams, who showed a level of maturity beyond his years in high-pressure situations. That shared mindset - calm, confident, unshaken - became the Bears’ identity.
After each comeback win, both Johnson and Williams echoed the same message: believe in each other, stay focused, and play until the final whistle. Sure, those words can sound cliché. But when a team backs them up with action - again and again - they start to mean something.
That’s what Singletary recognized. That’s what Bears fans have been waiting for.
Singletary, who built his Hall of Fame career on relentless effort and leadership, knows what it looks like when a team refuses to quit. He played with that fire, and he sees it in this group - especially in how they finish games.
For years, the Bears have lacked that late-game edge. Under Johnson, they’ve found it.
Seven comeback victories - including a playoff win over the rival Packers - speak volumes. That’s not a fluke.
That’s a team that knows how to weather storms and respond. That’s a team that trusts its coach and believes in its quarterback.
And that’s a team that’s built to contend - not just for a season, but for the long haul.
Ben Johnson has brought more than just play-calling and scheme to Chicago. He’s brought a culture shift.
One that’s rooted in resilience, accountability, and belief. And if Year 1 is any indication, this is just the beginning.
The Bears are no longer searching for their identity. They’ve found it. And with Johnson leading the way, they’re not just back - they’re built to last.