Caleb Williams era gets real as Ben Johnson demands more

Aman Sharma

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Caleb Williams era gets real as Ben Johnson demands more image

The Chicago Bears walked off the field after a narrow Divisional Round loss to the Los Angeles Rams with proof that progress had been made. Still, head coach Ben Johnson made it clear the organization would not treat 2025 as a launchpad or a promise of what comes next.

“There is no building off of this,” Johnson said. “We go back to square one. We are back at the bottom again. And that’s really all 32 teams.”

Johnson’s comments cut directly against the idea that a single strong season guarantees forward momentum. His message was simple. Last year’s growth carries no automatic value into 2026. That mindset fits a Bears team that showed real improvement but remains unfinished.

Chicago’s offense took a significant step under Johnson, fueled by the development of Caleb Williams, a top-tier rushing attack, and consistent scoring output. Yet Johnson has framed that success as only the easier part of the climb. Using a weight-loss analogy, he explained that early gains come faster than the final push toward true contention.

The Bears are no longer viewed as a non-factor in the NFC North. Now comes the phase that demands sharper discipline, tighter execution, and less tolerance for mistakes. Johnson acknowledged the team made strides but stressed that comfort would be the quickest way backward.

“We did a nice job this year,” he said. “But it’s not enough. We got to do more.”

Why Chicago’s next step will be harder than the first

One reason for optimism is the run game, which has become a defining trait of Johnson’s offense. Chicago finished third in the league last season at 144.5 rushing yards per game, trailing only Buffalo at 159.6 and Baltimore at 156.6. Those numbers came without relying on a run-heavy quarterback, underscoring how system-driven the production has been.

That strength may matter even more within the division. The Bears ran for 170 yards against the Cardinals in Week 16 of the 2023 season, a reference point that still matters given recent defensive trends tied to Jonathan Gannon.

Since then, Chicago has added D’Andre Swift through free agency in 2024 and Kyle Monangai in the 2025 draft, further reinforcing the ground attack. Green Bay, meanwhile, ranked 18th against the run last season, allowing 117.7 yards per game.

Off the field, the foundation between Johnson and Williams has become central to the franchise’s direction. Johnson has openly backed his quarterback while challenging the receiving corps to clean up drops.

Catch consistency has been labeled a priority for 2026, a sentiment echoed by general manager Ryan Poles, who said he wants fewer dramatic finishes despite the roster’s resilience.

Former Bears star Devin Hester believes Johnson’s arrival changed everything, praising his creativity and speed in reshaping the offense. That success has already drawn outside attention, with assistant Declan Doyle emerging as a candidate to become a coordinator after helping Williams and Swift post career-best seasons.

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Staff Writer