The Bears Are Turning Heads - And Pat McAfee’s All In
It wasn’t long ago that the Chicago Bears were a punchline. A team with tradition, sure, but one that hadn’t delivered much beyond frustration in recent years.
Now? They’ve got national voices like Pat McAfee singing their praises - and not just in passing.
The former NFL punter turned media powerhouse has been steadily hyping up Chicago, and after their latest statement win over the Philadelphia Eagles, he’s doubling down.
On a recent episode of The Pat McAfee Show, McAfee didn’t hold back. He pointed to the Bears’ locker room energy, the visible chemistry, and most importantly, the growing influence of head coach Ben Johnson.
“Every time you can look at a locker room and you see anything mic’d up... my eyes always tend to go like, ‘how do these people feel about each other?’ ... Ben Johnson?
Boys love him!” McAfee said.
That kind of culture - one built on connection, accountability, and belief - doesn’t just happen. And it’s clear McAfee sees something real brewing in Chicago.
The Ben Johnson Effect
Let’s talk about Johnson for a second. The guy has gone from respected offensive mind to full-blown culture architect in Chicago.
His locker room speeches are already the stuff of legend - including the now-viral moment where he celebrated shirtless, flexing with his players after a big win. That’s not just a coach letting loose; that’s a leader who’s earned the trust and buy-in of his team.
Johnson’s impact goes beyond the theatrics, though. He’s instilled a standard.
There’s a clear sense of direction, expectation, and - maybe most importantly - belief. The Bears aren’t just playing hard; they’re playing for each other.
And that’s the kind of foundation that sustains success.
Caleb Williams’ Year 2 Leap
McAfee also spotlighted the growth of quarterback Caleb Williams, now in his second year under Johnson. That development is no small part of this resurgence.
Williams has looked more poised, more decisive, and more comfortable running the offense. The game is slowing down for him, and that’s a credit not only to his talent but to the system Johnson has built around him.
When your young quarterback is growing, your locker room is tight, and your head coach is resonating with players on every level - that’s when things start to feel different. That’s when teams go from rebuilding to dangerous.
A Fanbase That’s Been Waiting for This
Now, let’s be real - Bears fans aren’t about to crown this team just yet. They’ve been burned before.
That 2018 season showed promise, but we all know how that ended. Since then, it’s been a carousel of coaching changes, quarterback questions, and unmet expectations.
But this time, it feels like something more sustainable. The national attention isn’t about dysfunction or disappointment.
It’s about potential. It’s about a franchise that finally seems to have the right people in place - starting with Johnson.
McAfee summed it up well: “If he has that culture set up, his culture is a winning culture... if the culture has been instilled, there’s no stopping this train.”
It’s Not About Hype - It’s About Identity
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves and start talking Super Bowl parades. But what’s happening in Chicago is worth watching.
The Bears are building an identity - one rooted in toughness, unity, and belief. That’s how winning teams are made.
And when respected voices like McAfee start consistently spotlighting your team, it means the rest of the league is starting to pay attention, too. For a fanbase that’s been through the wringer, that kind of recognition feels like validation. Not of where the Bears are yet - but of where they’re headed.
So yeah, the train’s moving. And for the first time in a long time, it doesn’t feel like it’s headed off the rails.