As the 2025 Chicago Bears season officially begins this Sunday with the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, the Bears fans are once again hopeful. With a new head coach, a generational quarterback prospect coached by Johnson, it is easy to understand their optimism.
But after years of disappointment, capped by the Matt Eberflus era, the 2025 season is about more than wins and losses. It’s about changing how the Bears are being perceived around the league.
Ben Johnson: A new voice, not a magic wand
Ben Johnson arrived in Chicago with a reputation for offensive innovation and quarterback development. His introductory press conference set the tone for a new era.
“Get comfortable being uncomfortable. The bar has been set higher than it’s ever been set before,” Johnson told players, including Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, and Cole Kmet. “The only way for this team, and for you as individual players to reach your potential is to be pushed and to be challenged”
So far during training camp, Johnson has lived up to his words. The practices have been very physical and focused on every detail, with no mistake going unnoticed. Already, the first-team offense was pulled off the field on Day 1 for not lining up properly. He also expressed frustration when the offense continued to look sloppy at a Family Fest last Sunday.
Johnson’s challenge isn’t just about installing a new playbook. It’s about reshaping the culture of a franchise that has become synonymous with disappointments both on and off the field. He inherits a team still reeling from the Eberflus disaster, marked by defensive collapses, locker room tension, and a lack of accountability.
Expecting him to reverse years of dysfunction single-handedly is unrealistic. But Johnson is all business throughout training camp and is not mincing words about the practices. Soon or later, any player who does not embody Johnson's vision moving forward will be out the door.
Caleb Williams: A young leader under fire
No player embodies the Bears’ hopes more than Caleb Williams. Drafted No. 1 overall in 2024, Williams has faced intense scrutiny—from fans, media, and even within the organization. From his emotional demeanor to his social media presence, Williams has been scrutinized more than anyone.
It is easy to take shots at the Bears and their fan base because of the lack of success on the field, which is largely tied to not getting the quarterback position correct. And no one has been more relentlessly criticized than Williams because it garners clicks and likes from both the Bears and non-Bears fans. It is hard to tell from some of the Bears fans if they want him to succeed, either.
Drafting the wrong quarterback and pairing with the wrong coaching staff, who was fired the following season. No one can fault him for being hesitant and wanting to avoid being drafted by the Bears, which was revealed in a book titled "American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterbacks". Now, both men are working together to change the dubious history of Bears quarterbacks.
Williams isn’t just a quarterback. He’s a symbol of what the Bears could become. Developing him properly means protecting him, giving him weapons, and allowing him to fail without fear. His real test will be his ability to lead through adversity and silence the doubters.
Changing the perception one game at a time
Like many, I was hyped at this time last year. I was expecting 10 wins and maybe even compete for the playoffs. But like many, I was truly embarrassed and lost all hope by the end of the season. But the hiring of Johnson has brought me back once again.
The 2025 season isn’t about making the playoffs or silencing critics overnight. It’s about progress. It’s about showing fans, players, and the league that the Bears are serious about building something sustainable. It also needs to change the negative perception surrounding the Bears organization.
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Every game is a chance to prove that the dysfunction of the past is behind them. Every snap Caleb Williams takes is a step toward becoming the leader Chicago needs. The Bears don’t need to be perfect. They need to be better. It’s about earning respect—one game at a time.