Bears’ Ben Johnson confesses major regret from heartbreaking playoff loss to Rams

The Chicago Bears are cultivating a culture of trust and high expectations under head coach Ben Johnson. Right tackle Darnell Wright recently spoke about how Johnson’s early mentorship helped pave the way for his impressive four-year, $116 million contract extension. In an interview featured in The New York Times, Wright mentioned that Johnson instilled confidence in him upon his arrival in Chicago, directly telling the young lineman that the coaching staff was relying on him. This early vote of confidence fueled Wright’s development into a second-team All-Pro player and secured his position as one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in NFL history.

As the franchise works to solidify its core players, Johnson is also reflecting on the lessons learned from his first season as head coach. In a candid interview with The New York Times, he expressed his regrets following the Bears’ heartbreaking 20-17 overtime playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round. Faced with challenging conditions, brutal 25-mph winds, sub-zero wind chills, and heavy snow at Soldier Field, Johnson admitted that he did not adjust his offensive game plan quickly enough to cope with the weather.

He specifically regretted not attempting a first-quarter field goal on fourth-and-2 from the Rams’ 21-yard line; that drive ended in a costly interception. Johnson now understands how to utilize Soldier Field’s notorious winter weather as a true home-field advantage.

As the team prepares for the 2026 season, maintaining roster health is a top priority, especially concerning explosive wide receiver Luther Burden III. Burden has been sidelined during training camp due to a groin injury, raising questions about his availability for the season opener. However, head coach Ben Johnson remains optimistic. According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, Johnson hopes that Burden will make a full recovery in time for Chicago’s Week 1 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

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