The Chicago Bears were looking for more than just a head coach - they needed a culture shift. And in Ben Johnson, they found someone who’s not just steering the ship, but reshaping what it means to be a Bear. Known around the league as one of the sharpest offensive minds, Johnson didn’t waste any time proving he was ready for the big chair.
It’s easy to forget now, but the season started with a thud. An 0-2 start would’ve rattled a lot of teams - especially one trying to find its footing under a first-time head coach.
But instead of unraveling, the Bears doubled down. Players stayed locked in, the locker room stayed tight, and the wins started coming.
Eleven of them, in fact. Chicago finished 11-6, claimed the NFC North title, and picked up a playoff win - all in Johnson’s first year at the helm.
But it wasn’t just the wins that got people talking. Johnson connected with Chicago in a way that felt authentic.
Whether it was his unfiltered disdain for the Packers - a surefire way to win over Bears fans - or his now-famous “good, better, best” postgame locker room mantra, Johnson brought a swagger and a sense of identity that had been missing. And yes, he even went full Chicago by ripping off his shirt in the locker room to score fans free hot dogs from The Wieners Circle.
That’s how you build a bond in the Windy City.
For the first time in a long time, the Bears don’t just look like a team with a plan - they look like a team built to last.
And the praise isn’t just coming from within Halas Hall. On Radio Row at Super Bowl LX, NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms didn’t hold back when asked about Johnson. “I think Ben Johnson’s the man,” Simms said, before adding with a smile, “He’s a psycho - and all good coaches are psychos.”
That might sound like a hot take, but Simms was making a point about the intensity and obsession it takes to lead at the highest level. He lumped Johnson in with names like Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, and Mike Vrabel - coaches known for their relentless drive and attention to detail. “It’s all about football, pushing buttons to be better at football,” Simms said.
He also pointed to the toughness of the Bears - a trait that, in his eyes, starts at the top. “The toughness of the football team is because of Ben Johnson,” Simms said. And coming from a guy who’s tight with Shanahan and knows what elite coaching looks like up close, that’s no small compliment.
Simms didn’t stop there. He called Johnson’s offense “as special as it gets,” and said it’s the only scheme he sees on film that truly rivals Shanahan’s in terms of creativity and execution. That’s high praise in today’s NFL, where offensive innovation is at a premium.
But Johnson’s impact goes beyond the playbook. Simms praised his ability to strike the right balance with players - tough when needed, encouraging when it matters.
That’s not easy to pull off, especially as a first-year head coach. But Johnson seems to have that rare “Midas touch” when it comes to leadership.
Adam Hoge pointed out that Johnson showed early on he was more than just a play-caller during training camp. Simms agreed, saying the best teams tend to take on the personality of their coach. And right now, the Bears are doing exactly that - gritty, focused, and unafraid to be themselves.
For Bears fans, none of this is a surprise. They’ve seen the transformation up close. But hearing it echoed by national voices like Simms only reinforces what’s becoming increasingly clear: Ben Johnson isn’t just the right coach for Chicago - he might be the one who finally brings staying power to a franchise that’s been searching for it for decades.