The Chicago Bears are turning heads this season - and for good reason. Under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, the team has surged to a 10-4 record and sits atop the NFC North heading into a pivotal clash with the Green Bay Packers.
It’s been a dramatic turnaround for a franchise that’s been searching for stability, and Johnson’s impact has been immediate. The Bears are winning, and they’re doing it with a level of consistency and toughness that hasn’t been seen in Chicago for years.
But what makes this run even more intriguing is that they’re not leaning on elite quarterback play to get there. Caleb Williams, the highly-touted rookie, has shown flashes, no doubt.
But he hasn’t quite reached the level many expected coming into the season. And Johnson isn’t sugarcoating it - he knows the passing game still has a long way to go.
“We gotta fundamentally be correct,” Johnson said recently when asked about the state of Chicago’s aerial attack. “The primary receiver, when he’s open, we’ve got to make sure we hit him. And then, all of our pass catchers - we just harped on it today - we need to be more disciplined in our route detail.”
That’s not coach-speak. That’s a head coach laying it out plainly.
Johnson went on to say the route depth isn’t always right, the timing isn’t sharp enough, and everyone in the passing game - from quarterback to receivers - has a role to play in cleaning it up. “We’re winning in spite of our passing game, not because of it,” he said.
“And none of us are pleased with that right now.”
That kind of honesty is rare, but it also tells you a lot about the culture Johnson is building in Chicago. Accountability is front and center, and even with a 10-4 record, there’s no resting on what’s already been accomplished.
That said, things won’t get any easier this weekend. The Bears will be without two of their top weapons when they take the field against Green Bay. Wide receivers Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle) have both been ruled out, leaving Williams without two of his most dynamic targets in a game that could go a long way in deciding the division.
That’s a tough blow for a young quarterback still finding his rhythm. Odunze has been a reliable chain-mover and red zone threat, while Burden’s speed and explosiveness have added a different dimension to the offense. Without them, the Bears will need to get creative - and Williams will need to elevate his game.
The fan reactions have already started pouring in, with some describing the injury situation in financial terms - likening it to a “liquidity crisis” with the Bears trying to “settle a transaction against Green Bay with insufficient funds.” Others are staying optimistic, pointing to a Packers defense that’s been banged up and inconsistent down the stretch.
Still, there’s no denying the challenge ahead. This is the kind of moment that tests a young quarterback’s mettle.
Can Williams carry the offense without his top two targets? Can Johnson and his staff scheme up enough to keep the offense moving?
And can the Bears defense - which has been quietly excellent - continue to hold the line while the offense works through its growing pains?
One thing’s for sure: the Bears have already exceeded expectations this season. But with the playoffs looming and the division still up for grabs, the next few weeks will reveal just how far this team can go - and how much weight Caleb Williams is ready to carry.