Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson Says “Now We’re Coaching Football” as Chicago Turns the Corner in 2025 NFL Training Camp

It was a moment that signaled more than just progress—it represented a shift in tone, culture, and identity. As Chicago Bears players swarmed the practice field during a high-energy team period, new head coach Ben Johnson shouted five words that encapsulated where the team stands heading into the heart of training camp.

“Now we’re coaching football!” Johnson yelled with conviction, his voice carrying across the field.

The statement wasn’t just enthusiasm—it was a declaration. After a whirlwind offseason filled with change, high-profile additions, and the selection of quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, Johnson now sees signs that his team is grasping the concepts, culture, and competitive standard he’s worked tirelessly to implement.

From fundamentals to execution, from the locker room to the line of scrimmage—Johnson believes the Bears are finally entering the real grind of football.

Ben Johnson’s Vision: From Installation to Execution

When Johnson left his post as offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions to become Chicago’s head coach, he brought more than a playbook. He brought a vision. A belief in detail-oriented, creative football rooted in discipline, balance, and explosive potential.

But building that from the ground up in Chicago meant starting with the basics.

“For the first few months, you’re installing—offense, defense, culture, habits,” Johnson said after Tuesday’s practice. “That’s the hard part. Now, guys are reacting, not thinking. That’s when you start coaching football.”

Coaches often say a team can’t truly compete until it masters the fundamentals. For Johnson, seeing the Bears begin to apply those fundamentals at full speed—and make in-play adjustments without reminders—is the tipping point he was waiting for.

“You don’t want to spend every practice correcting alignment or effort,” he said. “You want to coach scheme, execution, and decision-making. That’s where we are now.”

Energy Shift at Halas Hall

Johnson’s fingerprints are all over this Bears camp. Practice tempo is higher. Competition periods are more intense. Communication is louder. The pace and physicality have ramped up as the team moves from installation mode into what Johnson calls “the development phase.”

Veteran offensive lineman Teven Jenkins said the difference is noticeable.

“Last year felt reactive. This year, it’s proactive,” Jenkins said. “Coach Johnson’s not just installing plays—he’s teaching us how to play smart, fast, and physical football.”

Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds echoed the sentiment, saying Johnson’s attention to detail is pushing everyone to elevate.

“It’s not just ‘run this play’—it’s ‘understand why this works against this coverage, or how to disguise this blitz,’” Edmunds said. “It makes us all better.”

Even in walkthroughs, Johnson demands maximum focus. He pauses reps to ask questions, challenges players to explain their reads, and emphasizes situational awareness on every down.

“He’s teaching football at every level,” said safety Jaquan Brisker. “That’s the difference.”

A New Era on Offense

Much of the excitement surrounding Johnson’s arrival centers on what he can do with the offense—specifically, how he can mold Caleb Williams into a franchise quarterback.

Johnson has taken a hands-on approach with the rookie, using individual meetings, film breakdowns, and walkthrough scenarios to accelerate his learning curve. The coach sees Williams’ growing confidence as a barometer for the entire offense.

“He’s starting to see it,” Johnson said. “His eyes are better. His feet are cleaner. He’s not guessing—he’s processing.”

During Monday’s red zone period, Williams connected with DJ Moore and tight end Cole Kmet for back-to-back touchdowns on timing-based concepts that had failed just a week earlier. Johnson’s reaction?

A smile and a nod. Followed by another rep.

“Ben’s not about flash—he’s about doing things the right way,” said Moore. “You earn his respect by executing.”

In Johnson’s system, timing, leverage, and spacing are everything. Receivers are learning to adjust routes based on coverage. Linemen are being coached to recognize post-snap movement and shift protections accordingly. It’s football at a higher level—and it’s clicking.

Accountability Is the Standard

Part of Johnson’s “now we’re coaching football” declaration speaks to the accountability he’s instilled. Mistakes are addressed immediately. Missed assignments lead to extra reps. Star players get called out in meetings just like rookies.

“No favorites,” said running back D’Andre Swift. “If you mess up, coach lets you know. But he also teaches you the why.”

That accountability isn’t just coach-to-player—it’s player-to-player. Johnson has fostered a culture where veterans are empowered to coach younger teammates. Linebacker TJ Edwards has taken rookie linebacker Austin Booker under his wing. DJ Moore frequently pulls second-year wideout Tyler Scott aside to go over route concepts.

“We’re building something here,” Johnson said. “That only works if everyone’s pulling in the same direction.”

Defensive Identity Sharpening

While Johnson’s offensive mind gets most of the spotlight, he’s made it clear that Chicago’s success will be built on defense.

Under new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, the Bears have shown more aggressive fronts, disguised coverages, and faster pursuit to the ball. Evero is pushing players to own their responsibilities, not just execute their assignments.

The defensive line—led by Montez Sweat, Gervon Dexter Sr., and a healthy Grady Jarrett—has been disruptive in camp. The secondary, even without injured Jaylon Johnson, has held its own, thanks to Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, and rising safety Elijah Hicks.

“Coach Johnson tells us: ‘Defense sets the tone,’” said Gordon. “We’ve embraced that. We want to be the unit that brings the fire every day.”

Coaching the Coaches

Johnson’s leadership extends beyond players. Several assistant coaches have noted that Johnson is as hands-on with staff development as he is with player development.

“He coaches the coaches,” said quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph. “He wants everyone to grow—players, staff, interns. He’s building a machine.”

That philosophy is why practices are tightly scripted, meetings are interactive, and mistakes are teaching opportunities, not punishment.

“Ben’s not yelling for effect,” Joseph added. “When he raises his voice, it’s because there’s a lesson that matters.”

Building a Winning Formula

Johnson hasn’t set win-loss expectations publicly. Instead, he’s focused on process, detail, and competition.

He refers to “stacking days” in nearly every press conference—his mantra for consistency over perfection.

“If we win practice today, we’re closer to winning in Week 1,” Johnson said. “It’s that simple.”

Players have bought into the vision. Veteran newcomers like Keenan Allen and Mike Gesicki say the vibe is different from any team they’ve been on.

“There’s a real belief in what we’re building,” said Allen. “It’s not hype—it’s work.”

What’s Next: Preseason, Position Battles, and Progress

As the Bears prepare for their first preseason game next week, the team’s structure is beginning to solidify. But several position battles remain open—particularly at right tackle, slot corner, and backup linebacker.

Johnson views the preseason not just as evaluation, but as “extension of practice.” He expects game-like effort and attention to detail from every player who steps on the field.

“Every snap matters,” Johnson said. “That’s the standard.”

He also made it clear that no player—rookie or veteran—will be handed a role without earning it.

“This is a performance business. You perform, you play.”

When Ben Johnson said “Now we’re coaching football,” it wasn’t a celebration of arrival—it was an acknowledgment of transition. The Chicago Bears are turning the page from rebuilding to competing. The foundation is being laid, but Johnson knows the work is far from over.

Still, that moment of recognition—where players are executing, understanding, and leading—signals a breakthrough.

“It’s starting to feel like our team,” Johnson said.

If camp continues trending upward, and the Bears carry that mindset into the regular season, “now we’re coaching football” might be remembered as the moment the turnaround truly began.