We are well into training camp and fans have already learned plenty about head coach Ben Johnson. In his first year with the team, Johnson has done a masterful job changing the tone and setting a new standard.
Also in his first year with the Bears, pass rusher Dayo Odeyingbo is preaching to the choir lately as he's praised his new head coach. Odeyingbo spoke to the media today and, when asked about Johnson, he had this to say:
"He's very demanding. Thats something you want. He's not afraid to call you out."
Ben Johnson has completely changed the culture at Bears training camp
Odeyingbo's words ring as true as ever to the fans who have been paying attention to training camp, thus far. Johnson has made it a habit of getting after players when he sees something he doesn't like.
If Johnson doesn't like what a certain player does on a rep in practice, he's pulled them off the field completely on many, many occasions already. And, we're only about halfway into camp, if that.
The best part is, it hasn't mattered who the player is at fault. It could be Caleb Williams. It could be a guy fighting for a roster spot.
And, other times, it's been an entire unit. Johnson has infamously pulled the entire starting offense off the field after seeing enough mistakes take place. He has played no favorites, whatsoever, in camp thus far.
In recent seasons, we have seen the likes of the soft-spoken Matt Eberflus fail to uphold player accountability. We have watched and listened to the endless word salad fed to us by Matt Nagy rather than just giving straightforward answers and taking ownership of the team's fauluts.
Finally, though, the Bears have a head coach who has taken the intensity to the level it's long needed to be at. Johnson, again, has not played favorites in the least bit. Looking at the staff he put together and how those coaches have gone about camp, as well, simply brings it all together.
Eric Bieniemy and Dennis Allen have both been known to be hard on their players, and we've seen that play out during camp as well. Johnson knew what he was doing all the way back when he was hired.
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His plan is coming together. The tone has changed. The expectations have been lifted.