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When the Chicago Bears started the season 0-2 and were searching for answers, head coach Ben Johnson made a bold (and almost reckless) statement.
“We’re going to be playing our best football in December,” Johnson said. “I know that to be certain.”
Nearly three months later, the Bears are doing exactly that. And Sunday’s 31-3 demolition of the Browns at Soldier Field was confirmation.
Confirmation that the slow start was never the story. Confirmation that the details Johnson harped on in September are now showing up on Sundays. And confirmation that this version of the Bears is a legitimate playoff contender.
A Rough Start That Was Never the Full Story
GettyBears Head Coach Ben Johnson
The early season Chicago Bears looked disjointed. The execution wasn’t there. Johnson admitted as much, calling out effort, fundamentals, and practice habits after a loss in Detroit that dropped Chicago to 0-2.
“Our practice habits are yet to reflect a championship-caliber team,” Johnson said then, bluntly pointing to blocking, ball security, and finishing.
But rather than overhaul the system or panic, Ben Johnson doubled down on development. Competition ramped up in practice, and accountability followed. The expectation was growth that would show up later in the season.
That patience is now paying off.
December Bears Look Nothing Like September Bears
GettyBears QB Caleb Williams
The Chicago Bears team that took the field Sunday bore little resemblance to the team from the start of the season.
Caleb Williams had one of his best games of the season throwing for two touchdowns and 242 yards. His back of the end zone strike to DJ Moore was an absolute dot and Johsnon admitted as much.
“I’d say 99% of the quarterbacks, you tell them, ‘Don’t even waste your time looking back there and trying to make that throw,’” coach Ben Johnson said. “There’s usually bad things that happen. And yet, he’s got the ability to make that throw. DJ made a heck of a play there right on the back line, as well.”
D’Andre Swift delivered 98 yards and two touchdowns while helping Chicago seize control early with two TDs in the first quarter. And they did it despite missing Rome Odunze for a second straight week.
On the defensive side of the ball, Chicago held Cleveland to just 192 total yards and forced three Shedeur Sanders interceptions. The Bears continue to lead the league with takeaways now sitting at 30 (next closest is the Jags at 26) and turnover differential at 20 (next closest is Texans at 14).
Even with Myles Garrett finishing with 1.5 sacks and wrecking havoc (he’s one away from breaking the single season sack record), the Bears never panicked.
This is exactly what Ben Johnson meant in September when he talked about fundamentals showing up on game day.
Chicago is 10-4, hit double digit wins for the first time since 2018, and look like a team that knows exactly who it is with Green Bay waiting next.
This isn’t some late season surprise. It’s the result that Ben Johnson and the Bears expected all along.
Garrett Klaus Garrett Klaus is a NFL contributor at Heavy.com, where he covers the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Carolina Panthers. More about Garrett Klaus
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