Ben Johnson came in with a plan. He knew the massive challenge in front of him when he took over the Chicago Bears. This organization has been mired in mediocrity for over a decade. They have one winning season since 2013 and no playoff victories. Not only would he have to pull the team out of the mud after years of sustained losing, but he’d have to do it while also succeeding where others failed. That is developing a young quarterback. Caleb Williams is the foundation upon which Johnson must build everything.
That means installing an offense that can maximize the quarterback but also have an identity. Williams discussed this during an interview with Stacey Dales and Brian Baldinger on NFL Network. He revealed that Johnson has two core principles for the Bears’ offense. It will be smash-mouth at its core while constantly innovating with new concepts and ideas. He believes that when you marry those two things, you will have sustained success in the NFL. It is easy to understand why players are buying in.
Caleb Williams can already see results unfolding.
The Bears’ latest practice was a clear example of what Johnson wants. It was by far the most physical two hours of practice onlookers had seen from this team in 20 years. The offense and defense slugged it out in live tackling drills, trading blows in every drill. Caleb Williams and his guys won their fair share, too. Roschon Johnson scored twice in goal-line situations while the quarterback hit Rome Odunze for a 48-yard bomb. At least four separate fights broke out. It was a level of feistiness people hadn’t seen from a Bears offense in a long time. That is the sort of smash-mouth stuff previous generations embraced from the Halas, Ditka, and Lovie eras. Johnson aims to bring it back, but with a much-needed modernization. It is so refreshing to see a head coach with a plan.
If you weren’t sure whether Ben Johnson was impacting this Chicago Bears team yet, that was put to bed after a wild Tuesday afternoon. It started with what many beat writers called the most physical practice in the last 20 years. The Bears offense and defense slugged it out literally and figuratively for two hours in several live tackling periods. It got so heated that five separate scuffles broke out. Rome Odunze got his helmet ripped off. Braxton Jones was thrown to the ground by Gervon Dexter. It was crazy. The juice was overflowing. In hindsight, people should’ve seen what happened next coming. It occurred when defensive end Montez Sweat sat down for an interview with Brian Baldinger of NFL Network.
He was asked what makes Johnson and his new coaching staff so different. The answer started off fine. These coaches have a high standard and refuse to accept anything below it. You could tell at this point that Sweat was getting animated. It was then that he dropped an honest-to-goodness F-bomb about what happens when you make mistakes. The pure honesty of the statement, along with Baldinger’s coy smile, made it solid gold.
You can tell Montez Sweat is feeling the energy.
One must understand the context here. This player is known for being mostly even-keeled emotionally. He never shows much during interviews, maintaining a calm exterior. For Montez Sweat to cut loose a curse like that should tell you where his mindset is. There’s been evidence of his growing excitement for the new coaching staff in recent weeks, particularly defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. His play has reflected it. Everybody has said the former Pro Bowler looks outstanding. He was in the middle of that physical practice, drinking in the energy. One can safely assume he is ready for the season to begin. Sweat looks like a ferocious hound eager to be off its leash. Hopefully, he can deliver more soundbites like this in the coming months.
Nov 24, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates his receiving touchdown with wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images
The Vikings will be without wide receiver Jordan Addison in Week 1 after a DUI arrest in July. Addison has 133 receptions, 1,786 yards, and 19 touchdowns over two seasons and is a key piece next to Justin Jefferson. His absence puts more pressure on quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who is making his NFL debut after missing 2024 with a torn meniscus. With Addison out, Minnesota will turn to Jefferson and other less proven options.
The Bears ability to contain Jefferson depends heavily on Pro Bowl corner Jaylon Johnson, currently on the non-football injury list with a leg issue. Head coach Ben Johnson said there’s “a scenario where he’ll be ready” for Week 1. If he plays, Johnson gives Chicago a huge advantage. If not, Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon will take on bigger roles.
Chicago Has the Edge
Addison’s suspension simplifies things for the Bears defense. Offensively, Caleb Williams will lead a revamped offense alongside Ben Johnson. However, there is real momentum at stake with this matchup. Minnesota has won seven of the last eight in this rivalry, but Week 1 offers the Bears a chance to flip the script. A healthy Jaylon Johnson and Addison’s absence could lead to a dominant showing at home. With Williams under center, the Bears are poised to open 2025 with a statement win.
Chicago Bears Training Camp ERUPTS! Fights Break Out + First Depth Chart REVEALED
Nov 12, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) catches a pass against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears are having some hellacious practices to prepare for Monday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings next month. They feel this game is imperative for setting the tone for an important season. Everybody knows this is a really good team they’ll be facing, having won 14 games last year. However, it appears the Vikings will endure a brutal setback in that contest. The NFL has suspended star receiver Jordan Addison for the first three games of the season for violating their substance abuse policy.
One cannot understate how important this loss is. Addison was crucial to both Vikings’ victories over the Bears last season. He had 162 yards and a touchdown in that overtime thriller at Soldier Field while adding another 63 yards in Minneapolis later in the season. He is a vital part of their offense. Without him, the Bears would be free to concentrate their attention on stopping Justin Jefferson, making life much harder for young quarterback J.J. McCarthy. They will need somebody to step up.
The NFL has suspended #Vikings WR Jordan Addison without pay for the first three games of the 2025 regular season for violating the NFL’s Substances of Abuse Policy.
Addison is permitted to participate in all training camp activities, including preseason games. pic.twitter.com/kUixpBKINH
They’re the ones who had an ugly exit in last season’s playoffs. They let quarterback Sam Darnold, who led them to that appearance, walk in free agency. They’re taking a gamble that McCarthy can be just as good. Losing Addison right out of the gate feels like a bad omen. Not only that, but they’re going into Soldier Field against a Bears team that seems tougher and more intense than ever, thanks to the arrival of new head coach Ben Johnson. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen also has a score to settle with the Minnesota Vikings after they dealt losses in back-to-back seasons when he was with New Orleans. Chicago will have bad intentions in this game. Not having Addison will make life much harder for the Vikings.
Jul 24, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) passes the ball during training camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Every August, football fans and media alike get wrapped up in preseason drama, breathlessly dissecting quarterback play and screaming into the void about who’s destined for greatness and who’s trash. Let’s set the record straight right now: preseason quarterback performances mean about as much as your buddy’s promise to stop playing fantasy football after a bad season. Nada. Zilch. Jack shit.
Why Preseason QB Numbers Don’t Mean a Damn Thing
Look, numbers never lie — except when they’re preseason stats. According to FiveThirtyEight and extensive NFL statistical analysis, there’s practically no correlation (literally a paltry 0.072 correlation coefficient) between preseason quarterback performance and regular-season success. It’s the equivalent of predicting the weather by flipping a coin — you might feel smart occasionally, but mostly you’re just guessing.
And why is that? Because preseason football isn’t real football. Coaches roll out vanilla playbooks, starters barely break a sweat, and defenses play softer than a cover-2 run by your grandpa. Quarterbacks usually get a handful of series at most, and half the time they’re throwing to guys who’ll be delivering your DoorDash in September. Defensive complexity is dialed down, and risk-taking is minimized. Bottom line: it’s a glorified scrimmage.
Preseason Losers Who Became Regular Season Ballers
Still unconvinced? Let’s revisit some recent history.
C.J. Stroud (2023) was a dumpster fire in the preseason, barely completing 11 of 18 passes for a measly 89 yards and an ugly interception. Fans called him a bust before Week 1. Fast-forward four months: Stroud lit up the league for over 4,100 yards and 23 touchdowns, walking away as NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Remember Patrick Mahomes (2018)? He threw more interceptions in training camp than a drunk uncle at Thanksgiving tosses insults. The narrative then: Chiefs fans bracing for heartbreak. Reality: Mahomes dropped 50 touchdowns and casually snagged league MVP honors. Moral of the story: stop overreacting in August.
Even Michael Vick (2010) looked washed in preseason before putting together arguably the best season of his career. And Josh Allen (2018)? He got mauled by preseason defenses, looking more like an insurance salesman than a future Pro Bowler. Fast-forward a couple of years and he’s bullying defenses for a living.
So, What the Hell Do We Do with Caleb Williams This Preseason?
Caleb Williams is the latest golden-boy rookie QB entering the preseason hype machine. He’s already labeled the franchise savior, the heir apparent, and every other cliché fans slap onto talented rookies. But here’s your preseason survival guide for Caleb Williams: ignore the noise.
Williams’ skill set is obvious — big arm, athleticism, poise — but preseason isn’t going to prove jack about his NFL readiness. If he throws four touchdowns in August, chill. If he throws four picks, chill even harder. What matters is how he handles NFL complexity when defenses start disguising coverages, blitz packages get exotic, and every snap truly matters.
Fans should instead watch how Williams processes decisions under pressure. Is he decisive, poised, and in control of the huddle? Does he quickly bounce back from mistakes? Those traits matter infinitely more than his completion percentage against second-string scrubs.
Veterans Aren’t Immune from the Preseason Panic Either
You’d think NFL fans would learn from decades of preseason hysteria, but nope — every year, established stars like Aaron Rodgers and even Tom Brady were thrown under the bus after shaky August performances.
Rodgers, recently in Pittsburgh camp, reportedly struggled with deep-ball accuracy. Cue panic from Steelers fans, claiming he lost his touch. But Rodgers has done this dance before, struggling early only to dominate when games count. Remember, he’s Aaron Freaking Rodgers, not some rookie trying to make the practice squad.
Even Brady wasn’t immune, famously taking “nasty hits” and raising injury red flags in preseason action. Spoiler alert: Brady played another decade and hoisted more Lombardis. Veteran QBs know preseason’s a tune-up, not a performance review.
How Preseason Truly Matters (Hint: It Barely Does)
Sure, there are a few exceptions. Russell Wilson parlayed an electric 2012 preseason into a stellar rookie campaign. But he’s the outlier. The vast majority of preseason studs are forgotten quicker than your buddy’s promise not to draft another kicker in the eighth round.
NFL coaches and GMs already know this. They evaluate preseason with the cold detachment of a Vegas oddsmaker. They’re looking at mechanics, footwork, and mental processing — not QB ratings or yards per attempt. They want to know how their QBs adapt, lead, and make smart choices. Everything else is for fans desperate for football.
Final Verdict
So, as Caleb Williams suits up this August, just remember: preseason games are glorified practices that networks monetize because they know you’re football-starved. Don’t overreact to highlights or Twitter meltdowns. Focus on the process, the decision-making, and the intangibles.
If Caleb Williams struggles, shrug it off and crack open another beer. If he dominates, enjoy the highlights but don’t book those playoff tickets just yet.
Preseason football is a mirage — enticing, deceptive, and ultimately meaningless. The real test begins in September when the games count, defenses bite back, and quarterbacks earn their paycheck. Until then, save your hot takes. Your sanity — and your reputation — will thank you.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson relays a play call to quarterback Caleb Williams during a team practice at Soldier Field.
When they said Ben Johnson was intense and demanding, they weren’t kidding. It has become apparent from the moment he took over as the Chicago Bears’ head coach that things would be different. The days of players policing themselves and getting away with cutting corners are over. Johnson watches every single drill in practice like a hawk. When guys make mistakes, he stops a play and forces them to run everything again. If they screw up again, they get kicked off the field. Accountability is the buzzword around Halas Hall, and Johnson is its biggest champion.
If you weren’t sure how serious he is about it, the coach’s most recent press conference put that to bed. Family Fest at Soldier Field on Sunday was a frustrating one for the Bears offense, featuring multiple penalties and other mental errors. Even 48 hours later, Johnson is stewing over it, and let the players know.
“Offensively, it was the sloppiness that I referred to. Obviously, the delay of games were obvious to everybody, but there were at least a couple plays where linemen were going the wrong direction. We already talked about (Kyle) Mogangai going the wrong direction on the pitch play. It was communication errors that resulted in guys not aligning correctly or not going the right direction, and so that to me is what we have to clean up right now. When we went back, we looked at it. Everyone acknowledged what their mistakes were. We put that to bed and we’re on to today.”
This is a reminder of how serious Johnson is.
Most coaches would probably address the problem internally and forget about it after the first 24 hours. Not this man. He refused to let it go and used the media as another avenue to let the players know he hasn’t forgotten. There are no excuses. Either do your jobs or he’ll find someone who can.
It appears the message from Ben Johnson was received.
Barely an hour after the head coach delivered his statement, the Bears offense hit the practice field. Let’s just say it was a rumble. They took control almost immediately, scoring multiple times in goal-line drills and taking the physicality to the defense. Tempers flared, resulting in at least two scuffles between the two sides. Tyler Scott blew up Jaquan Brisker on a block. Rome Odunze got his helmet ripped off. It was beautiful, and exactly what Ben Johnson wanted. The periods were live, meaning tackling was permitted. There was no misconstruing what was intended. Chicago’s offense had its credibility challenged by the head coach. He offered them a chance to prove him wrong, and they took it. That is what good head coaches do.
The Bears’ offense hasn’t been the tone-setter on Sundays for too long. Ben Johnson aims to change that. His capability as a play-caller isn’t enough. He must get the players to believe in his vision and embrace the work to get there. It appears to be working.
The Chicago Bears pass rush has been a topic of constant debate among fans and media. Montez Sweat is a good player. That is established. The same is true of Grady Jarrett. However, the problems start popping up when you discuss depth. Dayo Odeyingbo was a solid player in Indianapolis, but nobody would call him a sack artist. They need somebody else who can put heat on the quarterback. That is why all eyes turn to Austin Booker. The former 5th round pick came in with plenty of potential last year. It is hoped he might be able to solve their problem.
His rookie season didn’t provide many answers. He finished with 1.5 sacks and four quarterback hits across 17 games. The playing time seemed to fade in the second half of the season, leaving some to wonder if coaches felt Booker wasn’t progressing. Maybe so. One thing is true, though. Things have changed since Dennis Allen arrived to take over the defense. According to Patrick Norton of CHGO, Booker feels rejuvenated in the new scheme and is quietly producing a quality training camp.
The Bears have plans for him.
Sewell’s reinvigorated play hasn’t stalled since putting the pads on. The same is true for defensive end Austin Booker. If you’re looking for young players who are playing well but lack the headlines, look no further than them. They’re two draft picks from the Matt Eberflus regime who might have a better chance of contributing under new coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen…
…Booker still faces an uphill battle for playing time as a rotational piece for Allen’s defense. He’s behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo. Dominique Robinson, another draft-pick holdover from the Eberflus regime, has also seemingly won over their new coaches.
Allen, though, is inventive. He moves his defensive lineman around more, which could open the door for more snaps for Booker, the Bears’ lightest pass rusher at 245 pounds.
“I worked hard — and they see that,” Booker said. “They see my potential as well. I’m just excited that they gave me this opportunity, and I’ve shown nothing but hard work.”
Austin Booker may determine the Bears’ future plans.
Right now, most would agree that a pass rusher is at the top of the team’s 2026 offseason wishlist. Sweat is approaching 30, and Jarrett is already 32. Chicago doesn’t have a young rusher they can build around long-term. Much depends on what Austin Booker shows this year. If he experiences a breakthrough, it might give the team some flexibility in their ongoing process of building a winner. It would also be a feather in the cap of Allen and his staff, proving they could succeed where Eberflus failed. If nothing else, Booker should get far more favorable matchups this season due to Allen’s creativity with formations and alignments. It is just nice to hear the young pass rusher is getting a fair and honest opportunity.
Jul 18, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer walks on the sidelines before a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The Chicago Cubs needed to add multiple arms to their starting rotation at the trade deadline and while the asking prices were reportedly insane it still would have been ideal to target those mid-tier pitchers. The Cubs acquired one, looking at the upside of Michael Soroka, who had an above average strikeout rate, induced a decent amount of ground balls and seemed like a good change of scenery candidate for the Cubs.
Well, things with Soroka could not have gone any worse. The right-handed pitcher lasted a total of 31 pitches in his debut with the Cubs on Monday night against the Cincinnati Reds. He struck out three in the first and then after giving up a solo home run in the second inning Soroka had a talk with the team trainer in the dugout, which was the first sign of something being off.
The other alarm bell going off was that Soroka’s fastball velocity had dropped below 90mph in his second inning of work and in a blink of an eye the Cubs had lost the only starting pitcher they traded for last week. The 28-year-old will be placed on the injured list after experiencing shoulder discomfort.
The Cubs traded away a pair of prospects for the rental pitcher as Christian Franklin and Ronny Cruz were sent to the Washington Nationals last week.
Fans were already upset by the Cubs going after another project and were none too pleased to see that Soroka was already showing signs of decline in terms of his velocity. Although he had solid results, Soroka went from throwing in the 93mph range to 91mph in his last couple starts with the Nationals.
Soroka did have an MRI prior to the trade and apparently everything was fine. The pitcher said he got injured in the second inning, trying to reach back for more on his fastball.
Mike Soroka said he had an MRI before the trade. Was feeling fine. Then tonight: "Went to go put a little extra on a fastball and it grabbed me a little bit. And it didn't go away."
This isn’t the first time Soroka has dealt with a shoulder injury. During his 2018 rookie season, Soroka only made five starts, missing most of the year with a shoulder issue and it lingered into 2019, but he did return in April and was an All-Star for the Atlanta Braves that year.
Soroka had two surgeries to repair his Achilles, costing him nearly three years in the majors before he once again returned on a permanent basis with the Chicago White Sox in 2024, after he was traded by Atlanta. He struggled as a starter, but was fantastic out of the bullpen last year. However, Soroka threw a total of 79.2 innings in 2024, the most he’s thrown in a season since 2019.
After his two innings with the Cubs, Soroka is at 83.1 innings in 2025. Now, the shoulder is feeling sore and the Cubs are back to square one. Ben Brown has to step up. The team has to continue to rely on Colin Rea. Fingers crossed that Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad not only return from the IL without any setbacks, but they Cubs need them to be effective just to survive down the stretch.
What a mess this has turned into for the 2025 Cubs.
Jul 26, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly (15) celebrates with pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) after defeating the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
The Chicago Cubs have quickly parted ways with veteran reliever Ryan Pressly. A day after the former closer was designated for assignment the team officially released him, making Pressly a free agent.
Despite the regression from Pressly during the past few years he may still have some value for teams looking to cover innings to finish out the 2025 season. One of those potential landing spots for Pressly is the Minnesota Twins, who have reportedly inquired about signing the veteran.
To potentially add stability to a bullpen down Griffin Jax, Jhoan Duran & three others, the #MNTwins inquired about Ryan Pressly, who was DFA'd by the Cubs and is a free agent. He's mulling his options.https://t.co/LV6KkFC4Yd
Pressly recorded a 4.35 ERA in 41.1 innings with the Cubs, but his spot in the bullpen was taken over by Andrew Kittredge at the trade deadline. The Cubs also added veteran lefty Taylor Rogers.
(Previous Update)
The Chicago Cubs acquired four players at the trade deadline, which means they have to make room on the roster. Veteran reliever and ex-star closer Ryan Pressly did not survive the roster changes and has been designated for assignment.
Pressly became a postseason hero with the Houston Astros, but his time with the Cubs quickly turned sour. He finished his Cubs’ career with a 4.35 ERA in 41.1 innings. The righty only recorded five saves after losing the closer role in mid-May.
Cubs DFA RHP Ryan Pressly They are on the hook for the prorated portion of his $8.5 million that the Cubs picked up from his original 14 million contract with Houston.
The Cubs acquired Pressly from the Astros for right-handed pitching prospect Juan Bello.
(Previous Update)
Lesson learned, stop getting aging relief pitchers from the Houston Astros. Last year Hector Neris derailed the back-end of the bullpen and now in 2025 Ryan Pressly is proving to be Jed Hoyer’s biggest offseason mistake.
The 36-year-old veteran waived his no-trade clause last winter and ultimately relented, leaving his home in Texas to begin a new journey in Chicago. Pressly didn’t publicly demand the closer role with the Cubs, but if you read between the lines after his acquisition there was an understanding that the right-hander would be given the role to start the season.
Although the Astros demoted Pressly from his closer spot heading into the 2024 season after they signed Josh Hader, Pressly wasn’t too far removed from being nails in the postseason. His four-year run as the ninth-inning man in Houston was capped off by some incredible work in October.
Ryan Pressly became Houston's full-time closer in 2020. Here's what Pressly did in four combined postseason runs from 2020-23: 31 G, 34 IP, 0.79 ERA 14-for-14 in save opportunities https://t.co/JcYCWgTzKq
Well, motivated or not, Pressly just doesn’t have it anymore.
He began the season by recording a 2.08 ERA in his first 13 games. However, that number was extremely deceitful as Pressly was giving up hard contact, barely striking anyone out and overall not fooling hitters with his pitching arsenal.
Then, Pressly entered in the 10th inning on May 6, against the San Francisco Giants.
He didn’t get away with his subpar stuff then and was pushed down the depth chart in the Cubs bullpen following his record-setting appearance.
The veteran did rebound during the next month, stringing together 15 straight scoreless innings. He struck out 14 batters and walked three in 15 innings of work, while his ground ball rate increased above 50%. Still, outside of a couple strong appearances, Pressly just wasn’t convincing on the mound.
And well we’re back to Pressly not getting away with his mistakes again. In his last 14 games the righty has given up 14 hits, nine earned runs, while only striking out nine and walking six. However, the biggest red flag is that Pressly has now given up five home runs in the 13.1 innings.
Pressly now has a 4.35 ERA this season. His strikeout rate, which was already a concern because it had dropped significantly during the past few years, has gone down to 15.4%. That’s ninth worst among 169 qualified relievers through July 29.
It’s time to cut bait on Pressly. The bullpen is regressing hard during the month of July and while getting rid of Chris Flexen was a good first step, Hoyer has to admit his mistake and move on from Pressly as well before he continues to hurt the Cubs even more down the stretch.
