Heartbreak stings, doesn't it? After a season of incredible progress, Bears head coach Ben Johnson delivered a surprisingly stark message: all that hard work? It's back to square one. Despite the team's impressive 11-6 record and divisional title win following a dismal 5-12 season, Johnson isn't letting anyone get complacent. But here's where it gets controversial... Is he right to completely dismiss the team's achievements? Or is he risking demotivating a team brimming with potential?
In a recent press conference, Johnson didn’t dwell on the Bears' remarkable turnaround, which culminated in a heartbreaking 20-17 overtime loss to the Rams in the divisional round. Instead, he hammered home a sobering reality: that loss means they, like 31 other NFL teams, won't be hoisting the Super Bowl trophy this year. And this is the part most people miss... He emphasized that this season's successes offer no guarantees for the future. There's no resting on laurels in the NFL.
"There is no building off of this," Johnson stated emphatically, as seen in a video clip. "We go back to square one. We're back at the bottom again. If you feel otherwise, you're probably missing the big picture. We've gotta start from scratch, we've gotta start with the fundamentals.” Think about that for a second. He's essentially saying that all the progress, all the wins, all the momentum… it's all irrelevant now. Does that sound harsh? Maybe. But is it the kind of tough love that championship teams need?
Johnson's approach is a high-stakes gamble. While many teams that experience a similar surge in performance (like the Bears in 2025) manage to maintain that momentum in subsequent seasons, there are also plenty of examples of teams that quickly fade into obscurity, becoming mere 'flashes in the pan.' Johnson clearly hopes his message will inoculate the Bears against that fate. He wants to avoid the trap of complacency and ensure the team remains hungry and focused. Some might argue that focusing solely on the negative could be counterproductive, potentially demoralizing the players and undermining their confidence. Others might see it as a necessary wake-up call, preventing the team from becoming complacent and entitled.
Ultimately, Johnson's strategy raises a crucial question: Is it better to celebrate progress and build on it, or to constantly push for more, even at the risk of diminishing past achievements? What do you think? Is Johnson's "square one" mentality the right approach for the Bears, or is he being too pessimistic? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
