What the Chicago Bears are doing in 2025 cannot be overstated, but not everyone seems ready to give them their flowers. Well, what do those people have to say after seeing this team beat the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on the road?
Safety Jonathan Owens reportedly asked that question to his Bears comrades following their defeat of the Eagles. He's ostensibly heard all the chatter about how they aren't a legitimate title contender and wants to know what the doubters think of them now.
"It's real now, huh?" Owens sarcastically wondered aloud (h/t NFL Network's Mike Garafolo), mocking the notion that the Bears haven't done enough to prove themselves. He speaks for Chicago fans everywhere, who are rightfully beaming with confidence and excitement as their squad improves to 9-3.
Jonathan Owens needed just four words to fire up Bears fans everywhere after win vs. Eagles
The No. 1 seed and their first NFC North crown since 2018 are firmly within reach for Owens and Co. To many, these goals have felt unattainable, which has aged poorly. The Bears have fully earned the right to smack-talk and respond to the outside noise because they're walking the walk, too.
Folks can cling to Chicago's impressive win-loss record and conflicting, unprecedented near-even point differential all they want, though that doesn't seem to bother them. Owens made that clear as day, in case taking down the Eagles en route to their fifth straight victory didn't.
While it's not always the most aesthetically pleasing brand of football, the Bears are getting the job done. They're executing, particularly in high-leverage situations, and it's paying dividends. Their ability to overcome adversity and persevere is not only a testament to first-year head coach Ben Johnson but also to Owens and the players.
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From top to bottom, everyone in the Bears organization bought in, with Owens being a prime example. He's been relegated to a special teams role despite being a starter elsewhere and having a defensive role with Chicago last year. Nevertheless, his morale is demonstrably high, and that speaks to the culture shift happening in real time under Johnson's guidance.