“This Is a Race Now”: Chicago Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson Sets Urgent Tone as Training Camp Kicks Off With High Stakes.

As the sun rose over Halas Hall, the atmosphere was unmistakably different. The Chicago Bears weren’t just starting another training camp. They were embarking on a pivotal chapter of their franchise’s story, one that now has urgency written all over it. And first-year head coach Ben Johnson made that unmistakably clear.

“This is a race now,” Johnson told his players during his opening remarks on Day One of camp. “We’re not waiting around. We’re running to greatness, not walking.”

Johnson’s message set the tone—not just for camp, but for a season filled with expectation, intensity, and the pressure of turning promise into performance. The Bears are no longer rebuilding. With a new coaching regime, an energized roster, and a young star quarterback in Caleb Williams, Chicago is accelerating the pace.

The Ben Johnson Effect

Ben Johnson, the innovative offensive mind behind Detroit’s recent success, came to Chicago with a reputation for elevating quarterbacks and crafting one of the NFL’s most unpredictable offenses. His hiring signaled a dramatic shift in Bears culture—a pivot from cautious progression to aggressive ambition.

Johnson wasted no time establishing that mindset. From increased tempo in team drills to a greater emphasis on situational awareness, his fingerprints are already all over this camp.

“We don’t have time to figure things out midseason,” Johnson said during a media availability. “Every rep matters. Every practice is a chance to pull away in this race.”

Players are feeling it, too. Several veterans noted that this camp is more demanding—mentally and physically—than in years past.

“It’s not just about the playbook,” linebacker T.J. Edwards said. “Coach Johnson is pushing us to think like winners. That means attention to detail, urgency, and being uncomfortable. You can tell he’s building something serious here.”

Caleb Williams: The Engine of the Race

No player will be more scrutinized in this race than rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Williams enters camp as the unquestioned starter—but not without questions.

Despite all his collegiate accolades at USC, NFL stardom isn’t promised. Johnson, who has mentored quarterbacks like Jared Goff, is fully invested in unlocking Williams’ potential from day one.

“He’s the guy,” Johnson said. “But he’s also a rookie. That means we have to challenge him, put him in tough spots, and let him grow.”

Williams has embraced the challenge. During early practices, his arm talent has been undeniable, but what’s impressed coaches more is his command in the huddle and willingness to learn from mistakes.

“I came here to win,” Williams said. “That means pushing myself, earning the respect of my teammates, and doing whatever Coach Johnson asks of me. I’m not afraid of the race—we’re all running it together.”

Competition Breeds Success

Though Williams has a firm grip on the starting job, Johnson has fostered fierce competition across the roster. Wide receiver, cornerback, and linebacker rotations have been particularly fluid, with veterans and rookies alike fighting for spots.

DJ Moore is the established WR1, but the WR2 and WR3 positions remain up for grabs among Keenan Allen, rookie Rome Odunze, and Tyler Scott. The message is clear: depth will be earned, not given.

“Coach Johnson doesn’t let you coast,” Allen said. “Even vets have to show up every day or risk falling behind.”

The defense, led by coordinator Ejiro Evero, mirrors that intensity. Jaylon Johnson and rookie Tyrique Stevenson are locked in an intense battle for cornerback supremacy, while newly signed DE Tanoh Kpassagnon has brought a veteran presence to the trenches.

“There’s urgency everywhere,” said Tremaine Edmunds. “We’re not just trying to be good—we’re trying to be elite. That starts with competing like every day is game day.”

A New Standard of Accountability

Perhaps the most noticeable change under Johnson is the level of accountability. Mistakes are called out in real-time. Sloppy reps are redone immediately. And no one—not even stars—is immune to criticism.

During a goal-line drill on the second day of camp, Williams threw a late pass that resulted in an interception. Johnson pulled him aside immediately—not to berate, but to teach.

“He said, ‘That’s not how you win in the red zone,’” Williams recalled. “And he was right. He’s coaching me hard because he believes in me.”

Johnson has also instituted daily unit competitions, complete with winners, losers, and rewards. One such prize? Getting to pick the team’s pre-practice music playlist. One consequence? Running extra wind sprints after practice.

“It sounds small,” Johnson said, “but building a winning culture is about pride, competition, and camaraderie. That’s how championship teams are built.”

Veterans Buy In

Perhaps Johnson’s greatest early victory is getting veteran buy-in. For players like Jaylon Johnson, Darnell Mooney, and Cole Kmet, who’ve experienced years of instability in Chicago, Johnson’s directness is refreshing.

“You know where you stand with him,” Kmet said. “There’s no sugar-coating. And that’s what we need.”

Even newcomers like Jonathan Owens and Tre Flowers—signed to bolster the secondary—have commented on how quickly the locker room has united under Johnson’s vision.

“It doesn’t feel like a rebuild,” Flowers said. “It feels like we’re chasing something real. You don’t get that vibe everywhere.”

Setting the Bar High

Expectations are rising across Chicago. After a strong offseason that included drafting Williams, trading for Allen, and signing veteran defenders, the Bears are no longer basement dwellers.

Vegas odds still place them in the middle of the NFC North, but within Halas Hall, the energy is different.

“We’re not here to participate—we’re here to dominate,” Johnson said. “That might sound bold, but I didn’t take this job to be average. And I’m not coaching guys who want that either.”

The Bears’ early camp practices have reflected that mentality. Whether it’s full-speed two-minute drills or goal-line scrimmages with crowd noise blaring, every detail is designed to simulate Sundays.

What’s Next?

As training camp progresses, Johnson and his staff will begin to shape the roster and refine the depth chart. Key decisions loom, including:

• Establishing a clear WR depth order behind DJ Moore

• Finalizing the offensive line starters, particularly at right tackle

• Identifying the top nickel and dime DBs for situational packages

• Continuing to develop Williams while giving valuable reps to backups Tyson Bagent and Brett Rypien

The first preseason game will provide a glimpse into how Johnson’s high-speed, high-accountability approach translates in live action.

Until then, every snap, every drill, and every meeting is a part of the race Johnson spoke about—one that doesn’t have a finish line until playoff football arrives.

Ben Johnson’s message to the Chicago Bears is simple: the time is now. No more patience. No more moral victories. No more “we’re almost there.”

In his eyes, the Bears are in a race. A race to transform their identity, to rise within the NFC North, and to become the team their city has longed to see.

Whether they can win that race remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—under Johnson’s leadership, they won’t be walking toward the future. They’ll be sprinting.