Chicago Bears defensive veteran Kevin Byard spoke at the podium to address the media following practice.
The highly anticipated NFC Divisional Round matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Bears is expected to be among the coldest games of the season, and Bears coach Ben Johnson has been conducting no-heater practices. This strategy is about preparation, as the Bears do everything they can to have the edge in their home matchup against L.A.
“I think our body is more acclimated to it now. I think Ben has been doing a good job of making us practice in this cold weather. With no heat, no heaters on the field, which has been a complaint for the most part for a lot of guys.”
Cold Preparation
The intentional discomfort may seem cruel from the outside, but it's essential to maintaining the advantage that playing in Chicago offers. Johnson spent five years in Detroit, where he undoubtedly learned the motions of playing in the cold. Despite internal complaints, the Bears are obviously doing everything they can to give themselves the edge.
“It actually might be good that we didn’t have any heaters because our bodies are gonna be fully acclimated to this weather. It’s gonna be nothing for us to go out there and operate in the cold weather. Everybody’s not from Illinois. People from Florida, Texas, whatever it be, they don’t like being in the cold.”
In any high-caliber football game, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of variables. By collecting exposure to the cold, the weather gets removed as a factor. Chicago news stations have been warning of dangerously cold temperatures expected this weekend.
The Rams play in California, a place known for its spectacular weather, and their star quarterback, Matthew Stafford, has maintained a rough record in cold games since being traded to L.A. back in 2021. By practicing in the cold, Johnson strengthens their already strong claim on the environment.
Cold weather will not decide the game on its own, but preparation can remove it from the list of excuses. By embracing discomfort now, the Bears are treating the conditions as a constant rather than a variable, allowing execution to take precedence once the game begins.
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If nothing else, Johnson’s approach ensures Chicago enters kickoff already hardened by the environment, not reacting to it.