In joining forces in 2025, the two led the Bears to an 11-6 record that was highlighted by six wins in games they trailed in the final 2:00, the most by an NFL team since at least 1970. They followed the same blueprint in recording their first playoff win since 2010 when they rallied from a 21-6 deficit entering the fourth quarter to stun Green Bay 31-27.

After spending the previous three seasons coordinating an explosive Lions offense, Johnson brought intensity, passion and accountability to Halas Hall. Following an 0-2 start, the Bears won four straight and nine of their next 10 games. They followed a Week 2 loss in Detroit with four straight wins and a Week 8 defeat in Baltimore with five consecutive victories.

“He’s been a catalyst for us,” Williams said. “To be able to lead us, to be able to stand strong in tough moments and good moments, to be able to show emotion, be able to be who he is and be consistent with that and do what he said he was going to do, he’s been everything that Chicago’s needed as a coach.”

Much to the delight of Bears fans, Johnson not only embraced the fierce rivalry with the Packers in his first season in Chicago, but he beat Green Bay twice in a four-week span—once in the regular season and once in the playoffs—both times erasing double-digit fourth-quarter deficits.

Veteran safety Kevin Byard III believes that Johnson deserves “a ton” of credit for the Bears’ success this season.

“I’ve said this from Day 1: Chicago, the Bears, they got the right guy leading this team,” Byard said. “He did a phenomenal job this year. We all kind of knew when Ben came in as the head coach about his offensive play-calling and how good the offense was going to be. But just the accountability, the tone that was set from Day 1 with the tough training camp that we had, he just did a phenomenal job this year.”

“His impact on this team has been great,” added safety Jaquan Brisker. “The way he changed the culture, the way he has been a player’s coach, that’s why you see the players go out and play for him every single time. Chicago has a great head coach and a coaching staff. The future’s bright here.”

Johnson became the first Bears coach to win a postseason game in his first year in franchise history. The offense showed marked improvement under his guidance, ranking sixth in total yards and ninth in scoring in 2025 after finishing in the bottom five of the league in both categories in 2024. As a result, the Bears became the first NFL team to finish in the top six in total yards one year after ranking last in the league since the 1971 Jets.

“Ben’s an incredible coach, incredible football mind and great leader,” said center Drew Dalman. “It’s an absolute pleasure to play for him.”

“He’s established a winning culture,” added right tackle Darnell Wright, “and he’s definitely given us something to build on.”

Johnson was instrumental in Williams’ emergence this year. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft set a Bears single season passing record with 3,942 yards and had a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 27-to-7 that was the fifth best in the NFL.

“I’m happy to have him as my coach, and what he’s been able to do for me, it’s been unparalleled,” Williams said. “I’m excited about that. I’m excited that we’re going to be together. I’m excited about our future. I’m excited about getting back here with him and growing more than I did this year and being able to have games and moments like this many times in our career.”

Williams was at his best in crunch time throughout the season, regularly displaying his clutch gene with remarkable highlight throws in rallying to win games.

On Nov. 2 in Cincinnati, he rifled a 58-yard touchdown pass to tight end Colston Loveland with :17 remaining to give the Bears a thrilling 47-42 victory.