The Chicago Bears have been one of the more intriguing storylines of this NFL season-not just for what they’re doing on the field, but for how they’re doing it. And if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll notice that Pat McAfee has been one of the more vocal believers in what’s brewing in Chicago under head coach Ben Johnson.
On a recent episode of his podcast, McAfee zeroed in on what he sees as the defining trait of this Bears squad: mental toughness. He pointed to a mantra that’s become something of a rallying cry in Chicago: *“Good, better, best.
Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best.”
- That’s not just a catchy line-it’s a window into the mindset Johnson has instilled in this team.
And make no mistake, that mindset is showing up on Sundays.
After a dominant performance against the Cleveland Browns, the Bears didn’t just walk away with a win-they sent a message. This isn’t the same old Chicago team that folds under pressure or lets games slip away in the fourth quarter.
This version of the Bears is composed, focused, and relentless. That’s not by accident.
That’s Ben Johnson’s culture taking root.
From the moment Johnson took the reins, he made it clear that this team would be built on accountability, effort, and a no-nonsense approach to preparation. Sure, every coach says that.
But not every coach gets buy-in from the locker room the way Johnson clearly has. The Bears are playing with a level of discipline and resolve that’s been missing in Chicago for years.
You can see it in the way they finish games. You can see it in how they respond to adversity.
You can see it in how they’ve tuned out the noise-whether it’s criticism about their schedule or skepticism about their legitimacy-and just kept stacking wins. That’s not just talent.
That’s mental toughness. And it’s exactly what McAfee was highlighting.
This is a franchise that, not long ago, was stuck in a cycle of coaching changes and underwhelming performances. Grit wasn’t a word you’d associate with the Bears in recent years.
But now? Johnson’s fingerprints are all over this team’s identity.
And for a fan base that’s been starving for a team they can believe in, that shift means everything.
It’s also a warning shot for the rest of the NFC North. Because if this is what Ben Johnson and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams look like in Year 1 together, just imagine what this team could become with another offseason of growth and development.
The Bears aren’t just building a team. They’re building a culture. And if you’re watching closely, you can see the foundation being laid-brick by brick, win by win, rep by rep.