It is a new era for the Chicago Bears now that Ben Johnson has taken control of the roster as the team's head coach and we have already heard how his approach to the job has brought a newfound energy to the franchise.
The players believe in what Johnson has been selling based on the comments that have been made to the media since his arrival and that is something that should carry over into training camp and, ultimately, the regular season as this new staff looks to bring Chicago back to the place it belongs, the top of the NFC North.
The upside for the Bears on offense is immense with Caleb Williams under center, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze on the outside, and a mind like Johnson calling the shots. It may take some time to get adjusted to the way Johnson wants things done but as long as this group, along with tight end Cole Kmet, can stay healthy then Chicago should show major improvement on the offensive side of the ball with a new and improved offensive line blocking for Williams.
With all of those things taken into account, one of Johnson's former pupils decided to make an interesting declaration over the weekend when Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams suggested that Detroit had the best receiver room in the division.
There is no doubt that Williams is a talented receiver, but he is forgetting the fact that one key piece of the puzzle for the Lions' offensive attack this past season calls the Windy City his home now and Johnson has plenty to work with on the outside in Chicago with the aforementioned Moore and Odunze on the roster.
Players can only complete the plays they are put in position to make and it was Johnson who was seated at the chess board for Detroit this past season when the ball was in the Lions' hands. No matter how confident Dan Campbell says he is in his replacement for Johnson, you can never fully replicate what one coach was able to accomplish once they are gone.
Now, Johnson and the Bears have the opportunity to make Williams eat his words with their play on the field during the 2025 season as all the wrinkles and snap decisions that made the Lions' offense click like it did during Johnson's tenure came with him to Chicago.
If all goes according to Johnson's plan, he will be serving his former colleague a nice slice of humble pie the first time these two teams meet this fall.