Let's be honest: Chicago Bears fans are trying to contain their excitement for 2025 after getting their hopes up last year. It's hard not to be excited as things are going to be different (and every fan can book it).
CBS Sports writer Tyler Sullivan shared why every NFL fan should be optimistic about their team in 2025. The Bears' hiring of Ben Johnson as the new head coach is the primary reason for Chicago to believe that 2025 is the year of turnaround.
"Arguably, the biggest addition throughout this entire offseason was the Chicago Bears landing Ben Johnson as head coach. In just his first offseason at the helm, you can already see his imprint on the roster with Chicago bolstering its offensive line and adding an array of weapons for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Johnson has shown us during his days as the Lions' offensive coordinator that he's a tremendous play caller, and that is widely expected to translate to being a head coach. Chicago's days in the dumps may be a thing of the past."
Johnson completely changes everything fans thought about the Bears
Going at what Johnson is best at, his creative play calling. He has had considerable success as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, a team he has often been criticized for, over the last three years. Each season, the Lions have finished in the top five in total offense and points per game under Johnson.
Johnson is introducing a new culture to the team. One that he will hopefully adopt from his old boss in Detroit, Dan Campbell. It appears that it is already happening.
How so? Fans can see it already in the way Johnson is working with quarterback Caleb Williams. Johnson is aggressive in his coaching of Williams, going at him in practice and pushing him to improve his body language, as well as ensuring Williams isn't holding onto the ball for too long.
A toughness is being brought back to Chicago that has been missing for years. Johnson and Bears general manager Ryan Poles achieved this with the additions of Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson to the offensive line. A new emphasis on dominating the offensive line is something Johnson wants to see and has seen with the Lions.
Chicago has shown all the right signs that the team is heading in the right direction under Johnson. It may not be perfect in Year 1, but this Bears team is coming into 2025 a whole lot different than they were in 2024.
Read more: What was once a liability has become a position of strength for Bears
That's all because of their new fearless leader: Ben Johnson.