Allen Park — It’s been a rough stretch for the Chicago Bears. They’ve finished last in the NFC North three consecutive years, haven’t been to the postseason since the 2020 season, and haven’t won a playoff game since former Chicago community organizer Barack Obama’s first term as president.
Within those larger struggles, the Bears have predictably had their issues with the Detroit Lions, dropping five of the past six in the divisional rivalry, including Detroit's season sweep in 2024.
Certainly, the Bears didn't rest on whatever the opposite of laurels might be. They must have made changes this offseason in an effort to reverse their fortunes. Oh, that’s right, they took the if-you-can’t-beat-them-hire-them route.
After getting embarrassed by the trickiest of trick plays last season, “the stumblebum,” a simulated fumble designed to freeze the linebackers, the Bears poached the man who dialed it up against them, former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. He'll serve as the 19th head coach in franchise history.
Lions fans had braced for losing Johnson for years after he orchestrated a top-five scoring offense each of his three seasons at the helm, including a rewriting of the franchise record books for most points last season. However, they weren’t prepared to see him jump ship to a loathed division rival.
While many Lions fans are openly rooting for former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s success with the New York Jets, they're struggling to remember if they ever even liked Johnson. They might even think twice before tossing him a life preserver if he slipped overboard from a water taxi into the Chicago River.
When the Bears come to town on Sunday, Johnson can expect a welcome as warm as Kelly Stafford imagined her kids got when the Rams came to Ford Field to play the Lions in the playoffs two years ago.
Johnson, of course, has reshaped the Bears coaching staff with layers of Detroit influence, bringing former Lions assistants Antwaan Randle El and J.T. Barrett with him. Johnson also hired some others from the same Sean Payton tree that sprouted Dan Campbell, including defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, non-play-calling offensive coordinator Declan Doyle and respected offensive line coach Dan Roushar.
Johnson will be the first to tell you he learned an immeasurable amount under Campbell. Johnson has Detroit’s coach to thank for giving him the opportunities that led to this opportunity, so it’s hardly surprising that he would add a Campbell-esque flavor to his staff.
Of course, there have been plenty of roster changes in Chicago, too. It's the type of comprehensive makeover you often see when a general manager wants to kickstart the implementation of a new coach’s vision.
Let’s start with the offense, which is Johnson’s domain.
In Detroit, his success wouldn’t have been possible without the team’s ultra-talented offensive line, which Johnson frequently referred to as the engine of his system. That looked to be priorities one, two and three for GM Ryan Poles, who traded for veteran guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson — remember him? — before signing the consensus best center on the free agent market, Drew Dalman.
Poles also got Johnson some shiny new weapons via the draft, using the team’s first two picks on Michigan tight end Colston Loveland and shifty Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden. Those additions should offset the loss of productive but aging receiver Keenan Allen, who provided 70 receptions for 744 yards and seven scores in his one season with Chicago.
The intent of the overhaul is to set up last year’s No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Caleb Williams, for long-term success. The franchise’s future would seem to hinge on the coach/quarterback relationship, with Johnson being brought on to get the best out of the ultra-talented dual-threat out of USC, who flashed his abilities as a rookie but ate an absurd number of sacks.
Defensively, Johnson is handing the keys to a talented unit to Allen, the former Saints head coach and respected defensive mind. Poles similarly upgraded Allen’s group this offseason, specifically the trenches, awarding large, multi-year contracts to defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo, then drafting interior lineman Shemar Turner in the second round.
A big question for Sunday is who will be absent from the Bears' lineup? It won't be safety Jaquan Brisker, who is back after a lengthy recovery from a vestibular concussion last season.
However, there are legitimate concerns with linebacker T.J. Edwards and cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. The three starters missed Monday’s game against the Vikings after each had been listed as questionable.
That could pave the path for some other unfamiliar faces to see action against Detroit, including Penei Sewell’s brother, Noah, who logged more defensive snaps in Week 1 than he had the previous two seasons combined.
Additionally, cornerback Nahshon Wright, who played sparingly for Dallas from 2021-23, stepped in for Jaylon Johnson and had a pick-six against the Vikings.
It might feel like a whole new team outside of Williams and running back D’Andre Swift. You remember him? The former second-round pick, who was seemingly always injured while in Detroit, yet has missed only one game the past two seasons.
He must have had that Honolulu flu everyone is always talking about.
Of course, Johnson is going to be the headline story. You’ll be sick of it by kickoff. You might be sick of it now. It is what it is.
More than anything, Sunday will be about two teams looking to avoid starting 0-2 on the season, and more importantly, 0-2 in the division.
“When the Bears come to town on Sunday, Johnson can expect a welcome as warm as Kelly Stafford imagined her kids got when the Rams came to Ford Field to play the Lions in the playoffs two years ago.“ Classic.
Justin out here drawing up dis tracks, and I'm here for it!
Love that you had some fun with this.!