The 2025 Chicago Bears season has certainly given fans plenty to smile about. With an 11-6 record and a thrilling victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card game, the Bears clinched their first playoff win in over a decade. But for head coach Ben Johnson, it's time to shift gears.
Johnson appreciates the accolades from last season, but he's eager to focus on the future. “It’s been a long offseason with everyone congratulating us,” Johnson shared with CHGO’s Adam Jahns.
“But it’s time to move forward. Our division has only gotten stronger this offseason, and with the draft approaching, we need to put in the work again.
The road ahead isn’t getting any easier, and we’re preparing to meet those challenges head-on.”
Johnson’s attitude is emblematic of the new culture he’s fostering in Chicago. He’s not just focused on the players; he’s also setting expectations with the fans, emphasizing that past successes are just that-past.
Having faced postseason heartbreaks in his tenure with both the Bears and as the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, Johnson knows the sting of coming up short. Despite reaching the NFC Divisional Round three consecutive times, he's only advanced once. This experience fuels his determination to raise the bar.
The 2025 season was memorable, but Johnson is instilling a mindset where anything short of the Super Bowl is a disappointment. It's a refreshing approach for a franchise in need of a coach with such a forward-thinking mentality.