The Chicago Bears might be on top of the NFC right now, but Ben Johnson isn’t letting anyone relax. His calm and direct tone makes you feel there’s more going on behind the scenes, and it pulls you in to see what he’s really thinking.

After Thanksgiving weekend, the Bears jumped into the No. 1 seed. Their win over the defending champion Eagles on Friday, along with the Rams losing in Carolina, moved Chicago to the top of the conference. But even with that excitement, Johnson didn’t show much reaction to the standings.

“It doesn't mean anything,” Johnson said on Monday. “There are five games left, so we've got a long way to go, and we have not been guaranteed a spot in the tournament yet. We have to earn that. And the only way you can earn that right is by finding a way to win the next game. So that's where our sole focus is.” His message was simple and clear focus on the next step, not the spotlight.

The Bears have been doing their part. They’ve won five straight games and nine of their last ten, becoming one of the most dangerous teams in the league. Their defense has been aggressive, leading the NFL with 26 takeaways, and their offense has stepped up in key late-game moments.

A Dominant Run Game and a Passing Attack Still Finding Its Way

Their run game has been especially impressive. The Bears rushed for 281 yards against the Eagles, with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai both gaining over 125 yards and scoring a touchdown. It was the first time a Bears duo reached those numbers in the same game since Walter Payton and Matt Suhey in 1985. That kind of performance shows how powerful the run attack has become.

But even with a strong run game, Johnson knows the passing game still needs work. Caleb Williams has had a season filled with ups and downs. Sometimes he looks like one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and other times he misses routine throws. Against the Eagles, he completed only 17 of 36 passes for 154 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. These numbers reflect how inconsistent his year has been.

Williams has completed more than 60% of his passes only four times this season, and he hasn’t done it since Week 8. He is even on track to become the first quarterback to finish last in completion percentage while leading a No. 1 seed. The last quarterback close to this was Rex Grossman in 2006, who also took the Bears to the Super Bowl.

Johnson didn’t hide the problem. “There’s a number of [throws] that we've been talking about where we have to fundamentally be correct,” he said. He explained that when the primary receiver is open, the ball must get to him, and receivers must run their routes correctly. “We're winning in spite of our passing game, not because of it. None of us is pleased with that right now.”

Johnson Builds for the Future as the Bears Turn Toward Green Bay

But even with these struggles, Johnson is focused on long-term growth. He isn’t protecting Williams with easy plays. Instead, he’s letting him learn through tougher situations like under-center snaps, play-action calls, and detailed shifts. Johnson isn’t coaching for just Week 14; he’s shaping his quarterback for years to come.

“I thought that [Friday] was one of the better jobs he's had in terms of getting the play call, calling it in the huddle, getting the motions, the shifts,” Johnson said. He even admitted he made a mistake on one play, and Williams fixed it for him. “He’s getting better each and every week in that regard of playing the quarterback position.”

For now, the Bears are winning games, and Williams is making just enough late plays to keep the streak alive. But now comes the real challenge. The Bears face Green Bay next, and nothing raises the stakes like this historic rivalry.

“It's a big week. We know how important this rivalry is,” Johnson said. With two of the NFL’s most successful franchises meeting again, this game feels bigger than just another matchup.

And with five weeks left, readers and fans will be watching to see if the Bears can stay on top and whether this young quarterback and his confident coach can turn this strong run into something special.

Written by

Mohd Mudabbir Ansari

Edited by

Joyita Das