Caleb Williams credits Ben Johnson for Bears’ stunning turnaround
The Chicago Bears are experiencing a remarkable shift under their new head coach, Ben Johnson, who has infused the team with a fresh sense of purpose and resilience. This transformation has been instrumental in the Bears’ ability to clinch tight victories, a stark contrast to last season’s struggles.
A New Vibe in the Locker Room
When Johnson was appointed head coach, his mission was clear: revitalize the Bears’ offense, cultivate the talents of the quarterback, and improve a disappointing record. However, one of his most significant impacts has been the overall “vibe” he has fostered within the team.
Last season, the Bears started strong with a 4-2 record, only to unravel dramatically, culminating in a disheartening 10-game losing streak. This included a series of narrow defeats—five losses by one score, with heartbreaking margins of 3, 1, 3, 3, and 3 points. The culmination of these struggles led to the firing of head coach Matt Eberflus after a Thanksgiving loss to the Detroit Lions.
Turning the Tide
Despite a rocky start this season, where the Bears squandered an 11-point fourth-quarter lead in their opener against the Minnesota Vikings, the team has found its footing. They have since strung together back-to-back victories, both by the unusual score of 25-24, thanks to timely plays such as blocking a field goal against the Raiders and securing a last-minute field goal against Washington. Most recently, they narrowly escaped a potentially devastating collapse in a thrilling win over the Bengals, with standout performances from rookie tight end Colston Loveland and quarterback Caleb Williams.
“It’s just a different year, different vibe,” Williams remarked, emphasizing the team’s improved performance in tight situations. “I think we’ve done a good job in some of those games; I would say that last year we didn’t do a good job in close games, tight games.”
Resilience and Confidence
Johnson attributes this newfound success to the team’s resilience. He noted that previous iterations of the Bears often found ways to lose games, whereas this year’s squad is actively seeking opportunities to win. “This particular team in years past would find ways to lose games, and now we’re finding ways to win games,” he stated. “So I think they’re looking to change that narrative. Now that we’ve done that, we’ve got to continue to develop that killer instinct.”
Both Johnson and Williams acknowledge the positive atmosphere in the locker room, which has been vital for the Bears’ resurgence. “I can’t say enough good things about our locker room,” Johnson said. “We really have zero issues with discipline or anything of that nature.”
Looking Ahead
As the Bears prepare to face the 2-7 New York Giants at Soldier Field, they are poised to improve to 6-3, showcasing the progress made under Johnson’s leadership. With the team’s newfound confidence and cohesion, the Bears are eager to continue their upward trajectory in the challenging landscape of the NFL.
