The Chicago Bears’ offseason has been buzzing with excitement, largely thanks to their new head coaching hire, Ben Johnson. Pair him with Caleb Williams, and suddenly Chicago, on paper, looks to be a contender in the NFC North. But not everyone is buying into the hype – at least not yet.
Pro Bowl CB ‘Pumps the Breaks’
Veteran CB Jaylon Johnson has been here before. Heading into his sixth year with the Bears, Johnson is no stranger to preseason optimism that ultimately fades. And this time he’s making it clear: he wants to see results before he invests in the hype.
Jaylon Johnson on Bears' offseason hype: "I've been through it too many times. I'm going to get excited when we win in November and December."https://t.co/fq30rjWsn6 pic.twitter.com/Rb4F8v2775
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 9, 2025
Now a two-time Pro Bowler, Johnson has seen his fair share of disappointment. The Bears haven’t finished higher than third in the division or made they playoffs since his first year with the team.
In response to the hire and all the excitement around the team this offseason, Johnson said:
“The only thing that has anything to do with me is the work that I put in and the work we put in as a unit. Taking the steps in the right direction. Other than that, the talk, the hype and all that — I mean, hype doesn’t win you no games. I’ve been here a minute; I’ve been through the hype and we don’t win games. For me, if it’s not about winning, quite honestly, I don’t really care about it.”
Boom or Doom for New HC Ben Johnson
He’s not wrong. Bears fans have seen enough empty promises. That said, Chicago has a legitimate reason to get excited about this season. Ben Johnson showed his brilliance in Detroit, crafting one of the best offenses in the NFL. His creativity turned the Lions into contenders and unlocked the full potential of their roster. If he brings that energy and scheme to Chicago, the offense could finally take flight.
On the flip side, Jaylon Johnson has the right to say that it is just “chatter.” Ben Johnson the coordinator and Ben Johnson the head coach are different things. There is no hiding behind Dan Campbell anymore. Chicago is a great football town, they will love you when you win and rip you to shreds when you lose. There is a lot riding on this year for the Bears, and Ben Johnson will now take the responsibility of coming through for the entire city of Chicago.
As a veteran leader, Jaylon Johnson sets a strong message. Hype doesn’t win games in November or December – execution does. The real question is: Will this be another year of the “same old Bears” with a new face at the helm – or is this the year they change their identity and become a winning football team when it matters most?