Earlier this week, the Chicago Bears employed former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to be the franchise’s subsequent head coach following Detroit’s divisional spherical loss to the Washington Commanders. The hope is that Johnson will be capable of unlock a number of the facets of former primary total choose Caleb Williams’ sport that remained dormant this season.
Lately, Johnson had his first press convention within the Windy Metropolis, and his tackle how he considered the Bears group from afar will doubtless have Chicago followers pumped up–and Lions followers befuddled.
“Going into this season, I felt like this place was a sleeping big,” mentioned Johnson, through the Bears’ official account on X, previously Twitter. “To be sincere with you, I personally was extra involved concerning the Chicago Bears than I used to be anyone else on this division.”
Followers of the Inexperienced Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, each of whom completed far forward of Chicago within the standings this yr, may be a bit puzzled by Johnson’s assertion. He made certain to acknowledge what truly transpired afterward.
“Now, there are a variety of the reason why that didn’t unfold. That is why I am right here. I will resolve that, and we’ll see if we will get that corrected and cleaned up,” mentioned Johnson. “However I used to be very inspired with what was already on the roster proper right here, and like I mentioned earlier than, this division, as laborious as it’s, I am actually enthusiastic about competing right here.”
Can Ben Johnson unlock the Bears?
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Certainly, Chicago was projected by many coming into the season as a possible playoff risk as a result of primary total choose in Williams in addition to the slew of assets the crew expended to place collectively a serviceable forged of vast receivers.
Sadly, a lot of these receivers underperformed, Williams took some time to search out his footing, and the Bears had been mired by teaching malpractice all through the marketing campaign en path to lacking the postseason by a substantial margin, whereas each different crew of their division made it.
Nonetheless, there’s optimism that Johnson’s experience will be capable of information the Bears again heading in the right direction, even when it is a yr later than followers had hoped for.