The excitement around Ben Johnson’s appointment as Chicago Bears head coach is unmistakable. For the first time in decades, it feels like the organization landed the best available candidate. He’s widely regarded as one of the best offensive minds in football and exactly what Caleb Williams needs to take his game to the next level. Johnson admitted the Bears’ young quarterback was a central reason for taking the job. However, that doesn’t mean the head coach has any intention of coddling Williams.
Or any of his players, for that matter.
During his introductory press conference, multiple key team members were in attendance to hear Johnson speak. Among them were Williams, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet. All three will likely be central to his offensive plans. In the midst of his speech, Johnson turned to look directly at them. What he said next was an unmistakable message.
“Get comfortable being uncomfortable. The bar has been set higher than it’s ever been set before. The only way for this team and for you as individual players to reach your potential is to be pushed and to be challenged. And that’s exactly what I and my staff plan on doing.”
The Chicago Bears wanted discipline. They’re about to get it.
When he first arrived in 1982, Mike Ditka told the locker room that he was going to find out who really wanted to play this game and who didn’t. It sounds like Johnson has the same intentions. He plans to push everybody in that locker room, with the double intent of making guys better and also weeding out the weaklings. For too long, it has felt like Chicago Bears players aren’t getting pushed enough, which often explains their inability to execute in crunch time and the constant mistakes. Johnson aims to clean all of that up. If guys aren’t willing to take the instruction and put in the work, they won’t be on the team much longer. Guys like Kmet, Jaylon Johnson, and other veterans will probably love that. They crave accountability. This head coach seems ready to provide it. We’re about to find out how well he can motivate.
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