A lot was going on in the NFC Wild Card game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, but it was the home team in Soldier Field that showed resilience after being down 18 points at halftime to beat the Packers 31-27.
After the game, Bears head coach Ben Johnson did his normal celebratory speech and handed out one game ball when he gave one to his star quarterback, Caleb Williams. The young signal caller would then return the favor with an emotional tribute to his coach and handed Johnson a game ball as well.
With the Bears back in the office, preparing to play the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Round, Johnson was asked about that moment. Bears fans can tell that Williams doing that for Johnson meant a lot to the first-year head coach.
"It’s why you get into coaching – you want to make an impact on the people around you," Johnson said via 670 The Score's Chris Emma. "It meant a lot, it really did."
Ben Johnson has made a difference in the Bears and the city
Since his arrival in Chicago, everyone in the Windy City knew they would love Johnson once he talked trash towards Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. Johnson hasn't changed his demeanor at all throughout the season and has been consistent in coaching the team hard and being aggressive with his play calls.
All of that combined has not only created a strong culture in Chicago but also created a winning team that Bears fans have missed for a long time. The Bears finished the season with an 11-6 record and won the NFC North.
Johnson's first trip to the postseason has been a successful one as the Bears won their first playoff game in 15 years and are now on to the Rams in the next round. Chicago is now just three wins away from the city's first Super Bowl title in 40 years.
No one could have imagined that Johnson would move the needle this quickly with the Bears and make them a winning team. It just so happens to be the case, and now a new era of Bears football has been born.
Read more: Ben Johnson threw unexpected curveball when discussing Caleb Williams' slow start
Bears fans just hope this one is going to stick for more than just one season. If anyone can make that happen, Johnson is that guy.