Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson speaks during Training Camp at Halas Hall
Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson had an amusing reaction to the team's newly revealed “rivalries” uniforms. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, when asked about the alternate look, Johnson responded with a puzzled, football-centric question: “What uniforms?”
This focus on substance over style is why general manager Ryan Poles feels confident as the team approaches 2026. After an unexpected playoff run, Poles acknowledged that his biggest concern was the complacency that often derails promising franchises. In a team that hasn’t achieved consecutive playoff appearances in two decades, taking a collective sigh of relief after a taste of victory could pose a serious threat.
As reported in a detailed feature by The New York Times, Johnson was determined to eliminate any signs of comfort the moment the offseason began. “I recognize that last year was a cool season… That was an incredible experience, something that I will never forget,” Johnson said. “At the same time, I also know that recent history in Chicago shows you can have a flash-in-the-pan season, and then the next season, it can disappear. We don't want that. Nobody wants that.”
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Poles praised Johnson's relentless drive, highlighting how the head coach established an immediate standard that made resting on past accomplishments unacceptable. Teammates organized off-site throwing sessions and began training at Halas Hall earlier than ever before. “There really was no room for satisfaction after winning a playoff game or almost winning a divisional game… and that was my biggest fear,” Poles noted, commending Johnson for addressing complacency before it could affect the roster.
While fostering a serious, championship-oriented atmosphere, Johnson doesn’t want his franchise quarterback to overcorrect. As Caleb Williams enters Year 3, he faces high expectations, but Johnson cautioned him not to lose the natural “goofiness” that defines his playing style and locker-room presence.