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Caleb & Ben: The Bears’ Culture Shock Continues

November 30, 2025

What a difference a year makes. Last season, the Bears lost a heartbreaker to Detroit on Thanksgiving day but gave them everything they could handle. The loss would drop the Bears to 4-8 on the season and they’d lose 4 of their next 5 to close things out. If you told anyone last year that Chicago would march into the defending Champs house the very next season on Black Friday and impose their will, someone might think you’re crazy. You could go a step further and say the Bears coach would be dancing shirtless in the visitor locker room and that person just might look at you weird and never talk to you again.

But it’s true! First year Head Coach Ben Johnson has come in here and changed everything. It hasn’t been easy, there’s still plenty of work to do. But we’ve seen the growth taking place since week 1 and we’re now seeing it truly pick up steam as they start to roll over each opponent. The 0-2 start feels like forever ago, but they’re 7-1 since the big loss in Detroit. More importantly, they’re 6-1 in one score games after a dreadful 5-19 record in similar situations under Matt Eberflus.

Everything isn’t just on the arm of Caleb Williams, either. The draft class featured three playmakers in Colston Loveland, Luther Burden and, most recently, Kyle Monangai who have immediately come in and produced at different times as needed. Monangai has proven to be a gem from the 7th round out of Rutgers who filled in perfectly when D’Andre Swift missed time and is now assisting more in carrying the load on the ground. Both backs went over 100 yards against Philly and both hit the endzone. Caleb may have only hit 150 yards but he found 7 different targets including Cole Kmet on a dazzling touchdown connection. Caleb has received some criticism for his playmaking ability from the media, stating that he doesn’t stick to the script or ad libs too much. But it’s one of the qualities that makes him fantastic and it was on full display during the 28-yard touchdown throw. The ability to roll left while evading the pass rush – All while keeping eyes downfield to deliver a strike is a rare trait. Very few have possessed it in the history of this league. That’s something Ben Johnson spoke to when he took the Bears position, noting that Caleb was the main reason he accepted the position, is a phenomenal talent and that they would build this around him first and foremost.

They’ve certainly done so. The change of culture, the belief, that Ben Johnson has brought to this city and organization is immeasurable. But if you were to try, you’d see an offense that’s ranked 6th (369.6 ypg) in the league with a passing attack ranked 12th (227 ypg) and a run game at 2nd (142.3 ypg). Three of Chicago’s remaining five games will be against NFC North opponents, with a showdown at home vs Detroit in January. Vibes are at an all time high in Chicago, and the stage is set for a heck of a finish.

Keith, Author

Keith runs youth flag football leagues by day, and by night he hosts the podcast and writes articles with the confidence of a man who’s been rushing quarterbacks since dial-up. A longtime flag football DE and lifelong Falcons fan, he’s no stranger to heartbreak and enjoys watching the bears get slaughtered each week. Equal parts coach, critic, and chaos, Keith calls it like he sees it… even if it hurts.