INDIANAPOLIS — Ben Johnson isn’t here for a pat on the back. The Chicago Bears head coach walked up to the podium at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday and immediately killed the honeymoon phase. After dragging a broken 5-12 roster from the basement to an 11-6 finish, securing the NFC North division crown, and bouncing the Green Bay Packers from the wild card round, most of Chicago wants to build him a statue. Johnson just wants a Super Bowl.
He views the 2025 season as a failure. The goal was the Lombardi Trophy, and falling short simply proved the Bears still lack the firepower to finish the job. Now, as the front office scrambles to fix the offensive line and retool a costly defense, Johnson plans to push his roster past the breaking point.
“We Didn’t Do Enough”
You could hear a pin drop in the media room when Johnson stepped to the mic. The energy was tense. Reporters expected a victory lap after the most dramatic single-season turnaround in modern franchise history. Instead, they got a blunt reality check.
“We fell short of our ultimate goal, which was to win the championship. And so the biggest thing is we don’t confuse the postseason victory or exceeding expectations from outside of the building, that it’s OK to be complacent. It’s not. It’s not. We didn’t do enough.”
— Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears Head Coach
Johnson didn’t stop there. He promised a total reset at ground zero. The Bears won’t catch anyone sleeping this fall. A brutal 2026 schedule awaits, and the element of surprise is gone. If Chicago wants to survive, they need elite execution from day one of training camp.
The Exclusive Year-Two Club
Johnson is chasing history. Only a handful of head coaches have won a championship in their second season on the job. The names on that list practically double as a Canton roll call.
- Tom Flores (Raiders, 1980)
- Joe Gibbs (Redskins, 1982)
- Barry Switzer (Cowboys, 1995)
- Brian Billick (Ravens, 2000)
- Bill Belichick (Patriots, 2001)
- Mike Tomlin (Steelers, 2008)
- Doug Pederson (Eagles, 2017)
Every man on that list held a massive advantage. Billick and Tomlin inherited legendary, bone-crushing defenses. Belichick struck gold with Tom Brady. Switzer took the keys to a dynasty. Pederson commanded the deepest roster in football.
If Johnson wants to join them, the Bears must find their edge in free agency and the draft.
Offseason Targets and Cap Casualties
Chicago operates with razor-thin cap space and no extra draft capital. The front office cannot miss on their evaluations over the next two months. Johnson laid out a strict shopping list: retool the secondary, juice up the pass rush, and find a blindside protector.
With draft prospect Ozzy Trapilo likely sidelined for 2026, the Bears desperately need a plug-and-play left tackle. They also face a massive void at safety, with both starters hitting the open market. Tough business decisions are coming. The team is fully expected to cut ties with veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to clear cap room.
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
The NFC North is a bloodbath. The Lions will reload, the Packers are out for revenge after their wild-card exit, and the Vikings remain dangerous. Chicago can no longer rely on momentum. They need a dominant edge rush to close out tight games in the fourth quarter and a veteran tackle to keep Caleb Williams upright against elite pressure.
Free agency opens in March. General Manager Ryan Poles has just weeks to finalize a roster purge, clear the books, and find the bargain free agents who fit Johnson’s unforgiving standard. Chicago’s Super Bowl window is officially open, but the clock is already ticking.
