The Chicago Bears did it. They went out and got a deal done with Ben Johnson to become the team's next head coach.
For the past three years, Johnson has orchestrated arguably the league's most exciting and best offense, overall, in Detroit. Now, he is rewarded with a job that was clearly better than any other opening this cycle.
Johnson's arrival is massive for quarterback Caleb Williams, who was starving for the right coaching and development in his rookie year. Johnson could wind up being the best thing to have happened to Williams, and if the Bears play their cards right, the offense might just look vastly different in 2025.
It starts with free agency in March, but the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft is going to start getting plenty of buzz, soon enough. With the Bears' current stock of draft picks, we present the latest mock which is going to be very, very good news for Johnson and Williams.
New 2025 NFL mock draft is exactly what Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams need in Chicago
Is he a true tackle? Would he fit better at guard? It doesn't matter. Will Campbell is one of the top offensive linemen in this class and is more than welcome at pick no. 10. The Bears get a force, here, with Campbell as their offensive line begins to truly change its identity.
At pick no. 49, the Bears find another starting pass rusher to pair with Montez Sweat, assuming they haven't already signed on in free agency. Still, Prince Umanmielen is needed whether he's the no. 2 or no. 3 guy. Umanmielen is quick off the line and uses a variety of moves to win. In 2024, he totaled a career-high 10.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss with the Rebels.
More Bears news:
The Bears' next second-round pick fills in a starting guard spot with National Championship winner, Donovan Jackson, out of Ohio State. A highly-respected part of that title team, Jackson comes in as an easy and early Day 2 selection. The Bears just secured another starting guard with the 320-pound lineman who boasts strong hands and a well-built frame.
Say hello to a player who will shine at the NFL Combine. UNLV's Ricky White is the perfect type of wide receiver to pair with D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze. His elite speed might remind Johnson of Jameson Williams. The Bears will need someone with that kind of speed in order to execute some of those big-time plays Johnson is going to bring to the Bears. He comes to Chicago at pick 72.
In the fifth round and with pick 147, the Bears could very well find a starting running back in Ollie Gordon II out of Oklahoma State. We aren't quite sure what Chicago will do with D'Andre Swift. They could cut him and save a little money. Roschon Johnson is a bigger back, similar to Gordon, but hasn't done enough to prove he can start.
Maybe, between the two of them, the Bears find a strong tandem.
Who wouldn't want a defensive tackle named Thor? Need I say more? The Bears add a late-round rookie who has excelled against the run and might end up being one of those gems for the defense.
This is a fun pick strictly because the Bears not only need pass rushers, but Seth Coleman won't have to travel far from school. He gets to stay close by and compete for a roster spot.
It will be interesting to see what the Bears' cornerback depth looks like under Dennis Allen, but adding a rookie who is solid in man coverage is well-worth the flier here in the seventh round.