The 2024 Chicago Bears were among the most disappointing teams in the NFL. Then-rookie quarterback Caleb Williams played well given the circumstances, but many in the fanbase expected much more, and after a brutal 5-12 season, a major change was needed.
You get the sense that unless GM Ryan Poles hits this coaching search out of the park. He was going to be out of a job, and oh boy, did he get it right. Ben Johnson may end up being one of the best decisions this franchise ever made. Not only did the Bears make the playoffs this year, but they also had more than double the wins they had in 2024, and they won the NFC North in shocking fashion.
After yet another dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, the Bears are one win away from playing for a trip to Super Bowl LX, and when you think about it like that, it's almost impossible to believe. When you think about this entire season further, it's also quite clear that no matter what happens in the Divisional Round, the Bears' season has already been and will be a massive success.
The Chicago Bears are on a magical run, and this season has already been insanely successful
One obvious reason why this season is a roaring success is Ben Johnson. With first-year head coaches, teams can usually tell pretty early on if the coach has 'it' or not, and Johnson most certainly does. The offense has done a total 180, ranking 28th in points per game in 2024 to now ninth in 2025.
Johnson's work with the offense and the injection of new talent he had a hand in picking will be felt for years down the line. Secondly, Caleb Williams definitely seems more comfortable this year, so that could set the stage for a breakout campaign in 2026.
Offensively, this team has a ton of young talent, a strong offensive line, and a head coach who knows how to direct it all. Defensively, things are a bit different: the unit ranked 23rd in points allowed per game, but consider this: the Bears have gotten this far with a subpar defense. Sure, they create a lot of turnovers, but it's not a mystery that Chicago needs help at all three levels.
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Given what this coaching staff has accomplished in its first season on the job, the ceiling with this team is surely a Super Bowl title at some point, and while a victory in the Divisional Round would be nice, a loss would not take away from how amazing this season has been.