Year 1 of the Ben Johnson era for the Chicago Bears went better than even rampant optimists could've reasonably expected, with a division title and a playoff win. The playoff win, coming over the Green Bay Packers, whom Johnson has open distaste for, by the way, makes it even better.
Of course, the challenge now for the Bears is finding a way to take the next step. The NFC North is arguably the strongest division top to bottom in the NFL; those rivalry games will continue to be won by slim margins, and no one is overlooking them now.
The Bears' next step this season is for players to step up and perform well. That could mean improving on last season's performance, whatever caused it, or being counted on to take on a big role and perform well.
Bears fans can't know yet which players will be called on to step up, since it will take circumstances (i.e., an injury) to put them in the spotlight. But who can hone in on some Bears players who clearly need to step up this season right now, before Week 1?
5 Bears players who need to step up this season
5. DT Grady Jarrett
To his credit, Jarrett knows his first season as a Bear was not nearly good enough. During OTAs, he acknowledged how a knee injury impacted him and the lesson he learned now that he's an older player.
The truth is Jarrett has been in decline for a few years now. It's also fair to say he carried a heavier snap share than would be ideal for a big defensive tackle who's north of 30 years old.
If nothing else, the Bears have the defensive tackle depth (Kentavius Street, Jordan van den Berg, Nevile Gallimore, James Lynch, Jayden Loving) to take some snaps away from Jarrett. If that makes him more effective, and it should only help, then it should be done, and the veteran big man will be able to pay the bill he feels he owes the Bears fans.
4. S Dillon Thieneman
The Bears' draft-and-develop push to get faster, more athletic defenders began with Thieneman, who was already in line to start after being selected in the first round. The long-term injury to free agent signing Coby Bryant, even if Xavier Woods can probably hold down the fort capably enough, puts even more of a spotlight on the rookie.
Thieneman needs to take the all-around versatility and prowess he showed in college to the next level seamlessly. The early signs are good on that front, but the real proof won't come until there's the pudding of games that count.
3. WR Rome Odunze
Early last season. Odunze was on track for the breakout season everyone expected. Then his production dropped, eventually explained by a lingering foot injury that cost him the final five regular season games.
With the foot injury behind him now and DJ Moore gone, Odunze has to put together a season this year without excuses, using a skill set no other Bears wide receiver has. Not only would it boost the offense, but he could also make the team's decision to pick up his fifth-year option next spring a formality.
This is a big season for Odunze personally, and the Bears need him to once and for all show the world why he was the ninth overall pick in 2024.
2. EDGE Austin Booker
The Bears' pass rush issues are clear, and fixing them starts with someone stepping up on the edge opposite Montez Sweat. Booker had 4.5 sacks and 29 quarterback pressures in 10 games last season, with a positive impact on the effectiveness of the pass rush; by all accounts, he worked hard in the offseason to get in better shape.
Booker is headed for a Year 3 breakthrough if he can stay healthy. If he can get it done, especially early on, any talk about the Bears needing to trade for an edge rusher upgrade will fade away.
1. CB Jaylon Johnson
After an injury-riddled 2025 season, in which he probably shouldn't have returned after undergoing core muscle surgery, Johnson has declared his motivation to get back among the best cover corners in the league this year. He views this year, with two years technically left on his contract, as a contract year with that layer of residual motivation.
Read more: An unlikely Week 1 outcome in Bears' LT battle can't be ruled out (yet)
Johnson is the Bears' best cornerback, and it's not particularly close. If he can stay healthy and recapture his prior lockdown form, everything else for the Bears' pass defense will get easier, and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen can get more creative with pressure packages.
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