Ben Johnson’s shirtless celebration after the Bears’ 24-15 win over the Eagles on Friday lit up social media, but for the Bears’ head coach, the moment was more about the city than the spotlight. And while the internet had its fun, Johnson’s family had their own reaction back home.
“My wife was just laughing, that’s about it,” Johnson said during Monday’s press conference. “I guess my two-year-old was watching the TV screen back at home and she was looking, ‘No shirt, no shirt.’
She was pointing to the screen, ‘No shirt, no shirt.’ My wife had no idea what was going on.”
It was a lighthearted moment in what’s been a serious surge for Chicago. The Bears are riding a five-game winning streak and sit atop the NFC North at 9-3, just ahead of the 8-3 Packers. For a team that’s been searching for consistency in recent years, this kind of stretch isn’t just encouraging - it’s a statement.
And Johnson, who’s in his first year as head coach after three seasons as Detroit’s offensive coordinator, made it clear that his celebration wasn’t about self-promotion.
“I hate to draw attention away from our players,” he said. “But the intent was to bring up the city of Chicago and hopefully it gave them a little excitement, because they’re a big part of this journey as we’re going through the season also. I wanted to bring attention to them.”
That connection to the city has been a theme under Johnson’s leadership. He’s brought a gritty, no-nonsense approach that’s resonated with both the locker room and the fan base. But even with all the winning, he’s not shying away from the areas that still need work - especially on offense.
Despite the team’s record, Johnson was candid about the growing pains of second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams completed 17 of 36 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown against Philadelphia - a stat line that tells the story of a passing game still trying to find its rhythm.
“We gotta fundamentally be correct,” Johnson said. “Everybody has a role to play to get this pass game cleaned up.
It’s not where it needs to be. We’re winning in spite of our passing game, not because of it, and none of us are pleased with that right now.”
Through 12 games, Williams has thrown for 2,722 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while taking 19 sacks. The numbers are solid, but Johnson is clearly looking for more - not just from his quarterback, but from the entire offensive unit.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Friday’s matchup, Jalen Hurts went 19-of-34 for 240 yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles made their push, but Chicago’s defense and timely execution sealed the deal.
Now, the Bears turn their attention to a crucial divisional clash with the Packers this Sunday at Lambeau Field. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET, and with first place in the division on the line, it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest games of the season.
For Chicago, the stakes are clear: keep the momentum rolling, tighten up the passing game, and continue proving that this team is more than just a hot streak - it’s a contender.