Ben Johnson isn’t buying into the idea of momentum carrying over from one season to the next - not in today’s NFL. And frankly, he’s got a point.
In a league where rosters turn over rapidly and coaching staffs rarely stay intact for long, the concept of continuity is more myth than reality. That’s why, as he wrapped up his first season at the helm in Chicago, Johnson made one thing crystal clear: the Bears are starting from scratch.
This offseason won’t be about riding the wave of any perceived progress. It’s back to square one - fundamentals, discipline, attention to detail.
And if anyone thought last year’s training camp was tough, Johnson has news for them: that was just the warm-up. From his perspective, there was nothing extraordinary about the intensity of that camp.
In fact, he plans to crank things up even more this summer. The message is simple: show up ready, or get left behind.
Johnson’s approach is rooted in one goal - building a championship team. And in his mind, that doesn’t happen by easing off the gas pedal.
It happens through relentless preparation, mental toughness, and a commitment to doing things the hard way. He’s not interested in shortcuts or comfort zones.
He wants a roster that’s battle-tested long before the regular season even kicks off.
That’s a stark contrast to what Bears fans have seen in recent years. The franchise has cycled through a string of head coaches, each with their own philosophy - and each ultimately falling short. Whether it was Marc Trestman’s softer tone, John Fox’s faded fire, Matt Nagy’s early promise turned inconsistency, or Matt Eberflus’ inability to steady the ship, none of them managed to instill the kind of culture Johnson is now demanding.
And here’s the thing - Johnson knows this isn’t fully his team yet. Most of the current roster wasn’t brought in under his watch.
That’s likely to change, and soon. The first wave of turnover already came last spring.
Now, with more than 20 free agents set to hit the market before March, don’t be surprised if Johnson lets a significant number of them walk. He’s not just looking for talent - he’s looking for players who are all-in on the grind, who embrace the sacrifice that comes with building something real.
This isn’t about nostalgia or sentimentality. It’s about setting a new standard in Chicago - one forged through hard work, accountability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Ben Johnson isn’t here to maintain the status quo. He’s here to change the culture.
And if that means pushing players harder than they’ve ever been pushed before, so be it.
The Bears are hitting reset. And under Johnson, that reset won’t be gentle. It’ll be demanding, deliberate, and - if he gets his way - the beginning of something far more lasting than momentum.