Can Ben Johnson Turn the Chicago Bears Around?

Ben Johnson getting hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears shows that the team is ready to shake things up with their offense, which has had its fair share of struggles. This article takes a closer look at the numbers, why he’s a good fit, and the real challenges that lie ahead.

The Chicago Bears have never had a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards in a single season. That statistic symbolizes a deep and persistent organizational failure. Decades of cycling through coaches and schemes produced minimal success. The team fired head coach Matt Eberflus during the 2024 season, with Thomas Brown serving as interim coach before Johnson’s arrival. Johnson brings a celebrated blueprint that revived Jared Goff’s career and produced one of the NFL’s top scoring units in Detroit. But fixing the Bears requires rebuilding an entire culture. With rookie head coach growing pains and a volatile young quarterback in Caleb Williams, the path to respectability remains complex.

Ben Johnson’s System of Precision

Start by taking a look at Johnson’s Detroit work to understand his appeal. His offense was historically good for the Lions franchise. During his time as offensive coordinator, the Lions boasted one of the top offenses in the league, leading the NFL in scoring in 2024 and ranking second in total offense. Their success came from a disciplined system, with Johnson’s math background influencing his smart, analytical play designs that emphasized spacing and timing for receivers.

His philosophy relies on complete interdependence. The offense builds from a physical outside zone running game that controls the line of scrimmage. Ground commitment enables the scheme’s most dangerous element: play action. When linebackers and safeties bite on run fakes, it opens massive downfield windows for explosive plays. The results speak plainly. Under Johnson, Jared Goff posted among the league’s best passer ratings. The system’s effectiveness stems from making complex moves straightforward for players to execute properly.

Chicago’s Offensive History Poses Major Hurdles

The 2024 season continued a long story of offensive incompetence for the Bears. The team finished last (32nd) in total offense and 28th in scoring, averaging 18.2 points per game. A ten-game losing streak saw that average plummet to 11.8 points. The environment surrounding rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was pretty dysfunctional. Organizational structure has long been criticized for poor alignment between coaching and the front office. This historical context matters because it creates a culture that becomes difficult to overcome through schemes alone.

Caleb Williams’s first year involved constant pressure. His 3,541 passing yards and 20 touchdowns masked real struggles. He completed 62.5% of his passes and finished with an 87.8 passer rating. The most alarming stat was his 68 sacks endured, the league’s highest figure that season. While the offensive line deserved blame, Williams’s tendency to hold the ball too long contributed significantly. His 3.13-second average time to throw was among the NFL’s slowest. These habits developed in response to poor protection and limited receiver separation.

The Roster Finally Fits the Vision

Chicago’s front office aggressively built a roster that appears to suit Johnson’s system. They surrounded Caleb Williams with deep skill talent. The receiving corps now features DJ Moore, Luther Burden III and rookie Rome Odunze. Tight end Cole Kmet remains reliable. Having running back D’Andre Swift was a logical move, given his success in Johnson’s Detroit system. This collective talent represents the most complete offensive weaponry the Bears have featured in years.

The most critical upgrades came in the trenches. The offensive line added center Drew Dalman and guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. Thuney previously played for the Chiefs before joining Chicago. These moves should improve the unit’s ability to execute wide zone runs. This targeted investment shows organizational alignment missing for years. The coach and general manager now work together, providing a coherent structure for development. The investment in offensive line talent directly addresses last season’s most glaring weakness.

Betting Markets Show Measured Confidence

Gambling markets present a fascinating contrast in Chicago’s prospects. Johnson was among the favorites for NFL Coach of the Year, with odds around +650 at various sportsbooks. This reflects a strong belief in his ability to engineer a dramatic turnaround. The award typically goes to coaches whose teams vastly a expectations.

Yet the team outlook appears more measured. Sportsbooks set the Bears’ win total at 8.5 games. That shows clear improvement from last year’s five wins, but stops short of playoff expectations. The odds for making the postseason imply possibility rather than probability. Caleb Williams’s passing yardage projections suggested moderate growth without a meteoric rise. The market believes Johnson will improve Chicago, but not that he will make it great immediately. It is good to mention that fans seeking a more nuanced look into betting should look out for the best bet deals and most robust platforms.

Week One Exposed Growing Pains

The season debut revealed the gap between potential and reality. The game began with a brilliant opening drive ending in a Caleb Williams rushing touchdown. He completed his first ten passes, showcasing the system’s quick-strike potential. That early success proved fragile. The offense failed to score another touchdown until the final minutes. Ben Johnson called his quarterback’s performance uneven, mixing elite throws with regrettable mistakes. The offense showed flashes but lacked consistency against defensive adjustments.

The most concerning Week 1 issues were fundamental failures in Johnson’s priority areas. The running game was subpar. Swift managed only 53 yards on 17 carries. Without an effective ground attack, the play-action game loses potency. The team committed 12 penalties for 127 yards, showing poor discipline that contradicts Johnson’s efficiency requirements. Johnson also made rookie head coach errors, including a failed fourth-down attempt. He took full responsibility for being late with a play call. This lack of synchronization shows the fix remains incomplete. For those evaluating betting odds, these execution flaws provide crucial data points.

The Verdict Requires Patience

Ben Johnson represents the best chance Chicago has had in years. His scheme is proven effective. The front office provided the necessary players. Organizational alignment finally exists. These factors create genuine hope. But early returns prove that installing complex systems and changing cultures takes time. The running game must become dominant. Penalties must cease. Williams must learn to trust the system and release the ball faster. Ben Johnson must grow into his leadership role.

This is a rebuild, not a quick fix. The project is on a better track than last year. But Week 1 reminded everyone that progress is rarely linear. The Bears will likely be more competitive and watchable. Reaching the next level depends entirely on mastering championship details. Ben Johnson has the blueprint. Now comes the rebuild work. The organization must demonstrate patience as Johnson implements his system through inevitable growing pains.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/can-ben-johnson-turn-the-chicago-bears-around