Sometimes, a headline out there shouldn't actually be one, but is magnified by the fan base.
That might have happened when the Chicago Bears fans were intrigued when head coach Ben Johnson was honest about the team's practice habits and not being where they needed to be. Johnson shared with the media how they weren't practicing like "championship-caliber" teams do.
This is not something Bears fans are used to hearing. It could either be seen as the team not being where they need to be at this point in the season or a sign of Johnson holding himself and the team accountable. Some in the Chicago media love to hear it from the head coach.
One Chicago radio personality is all for Johnson's comments
On 670 The Score on Thursday, David Haugh called out this comment by Johnson and highlighted the part that some might not have thought about.
"The saddest part about this is it stands out to people," Haugh said.
"This is how a good football coach talks. This is how you establish a culture that's a winning culture."
Ben Johnson said the Bears' practice habits don't reflect that of a championship-caliber team.
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) September 18, 2025
"The saddest part about this is it stands out to people," @DavidHaugh says.
"This is how a good football coach talks. This is how you establish a culture that's a winning culture." pic.twitter.com/m73QFIHkfw
These are not things heard during the Matt Eberflus era over the last three years, which might throw some fans off. The Bears did a lot more losing under Eberflus than winning, as they went 14-32 under him before his firing after Thanksgiving Day last year.
This season hasn't gotten off to a great start, with the Bears losing again at 0-2, but there is a different feel to things. All Bears fans knew there would be some hurdles early on in Johnson's tenure, but he has said all the right things. The brutal honesty and accountability have not been seen in Chicago in a long time.
Johnson is also a proven winner from his time in Detroit. The Lions made the postseason for two consecutive seasons on the shoulders of the team's top five offense.
Read more: Ben Johnson says the quiet part out loud regarding Matt Eberflus preparation
Bears fans have almost been trained to be surprised when comments like Johnson's are made, since they are not used to it. Haugh is right on point that winners talk this way. Something Bears fans have been waiting to hear for a long, long time.
Things aren't perfect in Chicago, but there is optimism that while things might be down right now, it will get progressively better.