No, it’s not time to panic, but it is time to have a conversation.
What is going on in that locker room?
I don’t know how we haven’t seen Ben Johnson’s head literally explode on the sidelines. From day one, Ben Johnson’s messaging has been consistent. “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” “No block, no rock.” He was going to challenge his players. He was going to work them hard. He was going to teach them how to be winners.
And to be winners, the first thing players need is attention to detail. Johnson
has hammered it since OTAs. They need to know the playbook backwards and forwards. They need to have situational awareness. They need to know how to respond to the opposing team’s formation or playcall. They need to play clean, mistake-free football.
We are still in year one, so it shouldn’t be perfect, but how is it still this bad? How is this team constantly being dragged down by presnap penalties that put them in a position to fail?
It’s not just offense. It’s not just defense. It’s even special teams. How does D’Marco Jackson line up illegally on a punt, offsetting a Tory Taylor punt that’s downed at the 1, and after the penalty, the Ravens get the ball on their own 22. They would drive down and make a field goal. Would they have done it if they were starting at the 1? Possibly, but it certainly would have been a lot more challenging.
How does Colston Loveland have a false start in the red zone? How do these sloppy penalties continue to plague the Bears over and over and over?
The coach has had to call out the players multiple times. He’s had to tell the media that the players do not practice like champions. Earlier this week, Johnson had to call out the veterans and questioned their leadership.
“It would go a long way if we just had a little bit more ownership in that locker room to take the bull by the horns so we do get this cleaned up,” Johnson said on ESPN 1000.
How are we still here? How are these players not looking themselves in the mirror and not stepping up to what they need to do to become a winning organization?
We had this same conversation last year after Matt Eberflus was fired. Was there a bounce with Thomas Brown? No. It got worse. The players showed very little pride, failing to rally after the coach they pointed the finger at was let go.
I’m not defending Matt Eberflus. Of course, he should have been fired. He should have been fired sooner than he was, but the players performed no better without him.
I’m not saying it’s the same situation. The Bears are 4-3, Ben Johnson is here, and in many aspects, things look better. But if Johnson still sees issues with how this locker room is carrying themselves this far into year one, that’s a problem.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: there will be some surprise veterans who will not be here in 2026. I don’t know who they will be, but it’s going to happen. Ben Johnson needs this roster to be in his image, and there are clearly guys that don’t fit.
One other thing before we wrap up today’s column.
To those of you who are calling for Tyson Bagent. Stop. Just stop.
Caleb Williams does not need to be benched. That is a horrendous decision and a useless solution. Yes, Caleb Williams is struggling. But if you think sitting Caleb down so he can watch is going to help him, I don’t even know what to say.
The Bears are probably short of being a playoff team. They are improved, but they aren’t a finished product. Ben Johnson came here to work with Caleb Williams and make him a great quarterback. Sitting him down so he can watch Tyson Bagent run the offense isn’t going to help him. At all.
Caleb Williams needs to play. Ben Johnson needs to coach him. The veterans on this team need to start acting like leaders and not spectators.
Stop with the “We would have been happy with 4-3 in August.” They just lost to Tyler Huntley. That’s inexcusable. Don’t try and twist what happened.
No, there’s no reason to panic, but it’s certainly fair to wonder how many of these players will still be here in two or three years when this roster is truly Ben Johnson’s team.
