New head coach Ben Johnson hasn’t wasted any time resetting the Chicago Bears‘ culture inside Halas Hall.
Just two practices into this offseason’s OTAs, and Johnson has already established a competitive climate and detail-oriented culture for a team that’s looking to break a four-year playoff drought and in hopes of winning its first postseason game since Chicago native Barack Obama occupied the Oval Office.
Some of the Bears’ veterans have been among the first to note the shift in tone, and expectations from Johnson and the coaching staff.
“If we’re messing up on something, got to call you out for it, but it’s a good call out, you know what I mean?” linebacker Tremaine Edmunds told reporters, following Wednesday’s practice. “It keeps everybody on their toes, keeps everybody responsible as far as getting that playbook and, like I said, man, just his energy on the field. You definitely feel that.”
According to Edmunds, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has been running a tight ship from the first rep of practices this spring.
“It’s been good, a lot of intensity,” Edmunds said of Allen, “Obviously a guy that had success in the league over in New Orleans. They had a lot of good years, good defenses, and, like I said, just his energy, man, and what he demands from his players.
“I think that’s the number one thing that sticks out. Obviously he holds the guys accountable. You can see that at an early stage.”
Chicago finished the 2024 campaign ranked 26th in total defense, and the Bears are banking on Allen’s experience as well as key additions such as Grady Jarrett, Dayo Odeyingbo, and a deep crop of incoming rookies being enough to climb the rankings this fall.
If early returns are any indication, Johnson and staff are setting the foundation to build towards a potential quick turnaround.
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As vital as setting a winning culture is to success in the NFL, winning starts with talent, and Allen has one of the premier players at a premium position at his disposal.
Jaylon Johnson has developed into one of the top cornerbacks across the NFL, and according to Pro Football Focus, is the highest-rated player on the Bears’ roster as the upcoming season nears.
“Johnson saw a dip in impact and efficiency in 2024,” Trevor Sikkema writes for PFF. “Going from a 90.4 coverage grade in 2023 to 74.2, but that decline is modest for a position known for volatility.”
Last season, Johnson pulled down two interceptions while posting 53 total tackles as opposing quarterbacks had a meager 85.7 passer rating when targeting him.
Allen’s arrival, and a some key additions up front that could generate pressure on the quarterback, could be a huge benefit to Johnson and the rest of the secondary in 2025.
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