All articles tagged with #ben johnson
Bears head coach Ben Johnson says he has significantly improved his play-calling and is coordinating a revamped offense around QB Caleb Williams, aiming to get the ball to a weapons group led by Luther Burden, Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet in 2026 after Chicago won the NFC North.
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson says he’s “buying Luther Burden stock” after an electric offseason, signaling confidence in Burden’s Year 2 as he develops his route running and speed. Burden, who had 752 scrimmage yards as a rookie and a 138-yard game against the 49ers, is stepping into a larger role with DJ Moore traded to Buffalo. With Burden, Rome Odunze and others in the mix, the Bears aim to leverage his improved play in 2026 as Johnson and QB Caleb Williams push him to play faster with less thinking.
With DJ Moore moving on, Bears rookie-turned-second-year receiver Luther Burden III is positioned for a bigger role in 2026. Burden highlighted his offseason work, learning from Moore, and the belief that he can elevate his play, while head coach Ben Johnson signaled confidence in his development. Burden’s comments emphasize a focus on Week 1 readiness and continuing to win as he matures into a potential top target in the Bears’ offense.
The piece notes the Bears’ surprising 11-6, NFC North–winning 2025 season and the widespread belief they’ll regress in 2026 due to a brutal schedule and roster turnover, including key departures. It argues, however, that Williams’ second year in Johnson’s offense, improved health, and a favorable travel schedule could help Chicago defy pessimistic projections and even chase another playoff run.
The Bears used three Day 2 picks to bolster their offense, selecting Iowa center Logan Jones to back up and potentially seize the starting role, Stanford tight end Sam Roush as a versatile inline/off-ball option, and LSU returner Zavion Thomas to add speed and a kick-return threat, all in line with Ben Johnson’s offensive philosophy. While the offense gets a boost and added competition, Chicago still faces defensive questions ahead of Day 3 as they hope to improve the roster depth.
Caleb Williams capped a record-breaking 2025 season for the Chicago Bears with 3,941 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, seven interceptions, seven fourth-quarter comebacks, a division title, and a playoff win over Green Bay. After the season, Bears coach Ben Johnson pulled Williams aside and warned that the standard will be higher and the work tougher, and Williams responded with a firm “let’s do it.” Johnson argues that only relentless, championship-level coaching yields a true Super Bowl quarterback, and Williams—now in his second year in the same offense with more surrounding talent—appears ready to embrace that challenge.
The Chicago Bears promote passing game coordinator Press Taylor to offensive coordinator, replacing Declan Doyle who left for the Ravens. Taylor, 38, will not call plays in Chicago but will work with Ben Johnson to install the game plan as Chicago aims to sustain their offense with a young core led by Caleb Williams and a surrounding group of playmakers.
Ben Johnson said the Bears’ offseason focus must be on fundamentals, especially catching the football, after a season marred by drops that cost opportunities for Caleb Williams and the offense. With 34 drops by Bears receivers (playoffs included) and air-yard losses tied to drops, the team is pushing to turn good throws into completions and points, emphasizing accountability and refinement as they prepare for 2026.
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson says he’s locked in on the 2026 season after the team’s division title and first playoff win in 15 years, stressing a reset rather than celebrating, as the organization looks ahead to next year.
After guiding the Bears to the 2025 NFC North title and their first postseason win by a first-year head coach, Ben Johnson says he’s already focused on 2026, insisting there’s no resting on last season and that Chicago must start from scratch. He praised the team’s physicality, fundamentals, and poise, noted Caleb Williams’ development—with a franchise single-season passing mark of 3,942 yards—and said the group will tighten fundamentals, catching, and consistency when they reconvene in the spring as they chase another championship run.
After Chicago’s season-ending OT loss to the Rams, Bears GM Ryan Poles said the organization isn’t finished raising the standard, praising first-year coach Ben Johnson, the front-office/coaching collaboration, and the development of young players like Darnell Wright, Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III. He stressed progress without complacency, noted injuries and potential free-agent moves (including Kevin Byard), and signaled big roster decisions as the team shifts to 2026, aiming for a championship-caliber identity rather than the “Cardiac Bears” label, with Soldier Field’s playoff atmosphere fueling higher expectations.
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson said there is no building off this season, insisting the team must go back to square one and focus on fundamentals after their divisional-round overtime loss to the Rams, signaling a reset heading into the next season.
The Bleacher Nation piece argues that Bears coach Ben Johnson’s provocative comments have irked members of Sean McVay’s coaching circle, highlighting a brewing Bears-vs.-McVay rivalry and signaling a new era of competitive, high-profile offense-minded clashes in the NFL.
Bears coach Ben Johnson says Chicago must ignite its rushing attack for the playoffs after a season-low 65 rushing yards in the finale and just 93 in the postseason, stressing a mix of efficient plays and explosive runs against the Rams’ stout front.
The Bears erased a 21-3 halftime deficit to beat the Packers 31-27 in the wild-card round, sparked by a second-half defensive clampdown and late offensive drives. Special teams delivered with Cairo Santos' three field goals (including a 51-yard playoff long) and Devin Duvernay's return yards. Dennis Allen’s adjustments helped slow Green Bay after three early TDs, while Caleb Williams presented Johnson a game ball and praised his impact. Johnson leaned into the historic Bears–Packers rivalry and became the first Bears coach to win a postseason game in his first season.