Ben Johnson didn’t sugarcoat anything during his end-of-season press conference alongside GM Ryan Poles. The Chicago Bears' head coach was direct, focused, and already looking ahead to 2026.
For Johnson, there’s no such thing as riding the wave of last season’s momentum. That wave has crashed.
The message was clear: the Bears are starting over-and the work begins now.
One area Johnson zeroed in on? Catching the football.
When asked what needs to improve most heading into next season, Johnson didn’t hesitate. “We have to be better catching the football,” he said.
And he’s absolutely right. Drops were a recurring issue for Chicago in 2025, and the numbers back it up-29 drops on the season, the fifth-most in the league, according to Pro Football Reference.
That’s not just a stat; it’s a symptom of a bigger problem.
While Johnson didn’t name names, it’s hard not to think of Rome Odunze when the topic comes up. His drop on the opening drive of the Bears’ playoff loss to the Rams wasn’t just a missed opportunity-it was a tone-setter.
And unfortunately for the former No. 9 overall pick, it wasn’t an isolated incident. Odunze came into the league with high expectations, drafted to be a playmaker in big moments.
But those moments are slipping through his fingers-literally.
The message from Johnson is unmistakable: if you’re not executing, your role isn’t safe.
And that’s not just talk. We’ve already seen how Johnson handles underperformance.
Look at the left tackle spot this season. When Theo Benedet and Braxton Jones didn’t meet expectations, Johnson didn’t hesitate to roll with Joe Thuney against the Rams.
He’s not afraid to make bold moves if it means putting the best product on the field. That same standard is going to apply to every wide receiver and pass-catcher in the building-Odunze, DJ Moore, everyone.
This spring and summer, expect an all-out focus on improving hands and concentration. The JUGS machines will be running overtime.
And with wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El in the mix-known for his creative and demanding coaching style-there’s no doubt players will be pushed to sharpen their fundamentals. Randle El has a track record of finding unique ways to build focus and consistency.
That’s exactly what this group needs.
Johnson’s not bluffing. When he says the Bears are starting from scratch, he means it.
Every rep, every route, every catch-nothing will be taken for granted. The Bears made strides in 2025, but they left too many plays on the field.
If they want to take the next step in 2026, it starts with the basics. And for this team, that means catching the ball.