Every year, there are a couple of teams that aren't just under a microscope, but they're the epicenter of everything NFL for the coming season. The Chicago Bears have been one of those select few, this past offseason.
Between the team selecting Caleb Williams no. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, all of the offseason signings and acquisitions, training camp highlights and then adding in the national attention on HBO's Hard Knocks, this Bears team has grown accustomed to the spotlight.
Those words were a bit odd, yet refreshing, to write.
Nevertheless, the Bears are indeed one of those teams amidst a multitude of offseason hype. There is no escaping the attention, especially when you see Williams doing the kinds of things he's done in limited preseason action.
Williams looks the part. He has weapons galore. The defense should be a top unit this season, too. Shoot, even the punting game has been turning heads thanks to rookie Tory Taylor.
One player, though, isn't buying into the hype, and seems to want fans to understand that none of it matters.
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson spoke to the media, recently, and talked about how things might seem good right now. Things might feel all warm and fuzzy. But, to him, it's all pointless chatter.
#Bears CB Jaylon Johnson with a mic drop moment.
— Mark Grote (@grotesports) September 2, 2024
“I’m done buying into the hype…everything that we got in this locker room-it sounds good, it seems good., but at the end of the day, none of that matters, what matters is what we’re going to do this weekend.”
Johnson went on to talk about his getting a new contract and all of the preseason overreactions in reference to rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and how, in the end, none of it matters.
"So I mean, the preseason hype for me don't move me. I mean Caleb, I mean everybody, we all have to come in here, and we got to work. I mean, just top to bottom, myself, I mean, new contract year, that don't mean nothing no more. We got to come in here, and we got to go to work."
Jaylon Johnson and the Bears secondary have an underrated test awaiting them in Week 1
A few months ago, a Week 1 matchup against the Tennessee Titans may not have seemed like that much of a test. However, the Titans did improve their defense in a significant way this offseason, adding players like cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie, linebackers Ernest Jones and Kenneth Murray, safeties Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams, and rookie defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat.
Williams and the offense will be in for a test. And, the defense may have a tougher task then originally anticipated.
The Titans have a rejuvenated DeAndre Hopkins, who is out to prove he can still play at a high level while surrounded with fresh talent. The Titans signed Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd to come play alongside Hopkins, while the backfield has newcomer Tony Pollard playing beside second-year speedster Tyjae Spears.
The big question is whether or not quarterback Will Levis can take a leap in Year 2. If he can, this Titans team could be much better than expected.
Now, will the Titans look like a finished product in Week 1? Of course not. But, neither will the Bears. All that's left to do now is await Sunday afternoon.