Departing from one NFC North team to another, new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson knows plenty about the division. Having been with the Detroit Lions since the 2019 season, Johnson rose to prominence over the last three seasons as offensive coordinator, as he helped turn the Lions franchise around and made them a top contender in the NFC.

During a recent appearance on the “Mully & Haugh Show,” Johnson was asked about his familiarity with the division and how he’s using his knowledge to prepare the Bears for tough divisional games.

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Labeling the NFC North as a “black and blue” division, Johnson knows the games will be a grinding battle that they’ll have to tough out against the Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings. Referring back to their joint practices against the Dolphins, where the narrative around the team was the toughness of the practices, Johnson said he’s just preparing his team for the nature of the game.

“I think that’s the name of the game in this division, it’s the black and blue division for a reason,” Johnson said. “We’ve talked to our players about that and they’ve really embraced that mindset. I think there’s a certain way you need to play this game if you want to win this division. We’re going to practice that way, particularly when we’re in pads. You have a limited number of opportunities in training camp and then during the season to wear those pads during practice and we’re looking to maximize those opportunities. What you do in practice does show up in the game. Those little things go such a long way in gaining an edge over your opponent.”

The attention to detail and hard coaching are traits that have certainly been missing around the Bears organization as they’ve struggled to put together winning seasons as of late. Johnson has been a part of the NFC North and knows how much of a struggle it’s been for Chicago, and he’s putting in the work to help turn the team around.

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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears HC Ben Johnson preaching tough mindset to compete in NFC North