Chicago Bears ‘want to dominate’ under Ben Johnson. But they also know ‘hype don’t win you no games.’

The Chicago Bears have long been a team that fans are passionate about, but in recent years, they’ve struggled to find sustained success. After a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw the Bears finish with a 3-14 record, the franchise is entering 2025 with renewed hope. The hiring of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, formerly of the Detroit Lions, is one of the most significant moves made by the Bears this offseason. With a history of developing potent offenses and a knack for maximizing talent, Johnson brings a breath of fresh air to an organization desperate to turn things around.

However, despite the optimism surrounding Johnson’s arrival, the Bears are cautious not to get carried away by the hype. As much as they want to be dominant under his leadership, they understand that success in the NFL doesn’t come from external expectations or media buzz — it’s earned on the field.

The Ben Johnson Impact

Ben Johnson is no stranger to success. As the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, Johnson helped turn a middling offense into one of the league’s most explosive units. Under his guidance, the Lions finished the 2023 season with a top-10 offense, setting career-highs in yards per game and points scored. His ability to innovate, adapt, and tailor offensive strategies to the strengths of his players quickly gained attention across the league.

Now, in Chicago, Johnson’s focus is on helping the Bears become a more dynamic offensive team, something they’ve struggled with for years. In 2023, the Bears averaged just 17.0 points per game — second worst in the NFL. The team’s lack of offensive consistency was a significant reason why they couldn’t compete in a competitive NFC North division. With young quarterback Justin Fields showing flashes of brilliance but lacking the surrounding pieces to succeed, the pressure to build a functional offense is immense.

Johnson’s approach is simple: he wants the Bears to be a team that can dominate on offense. “We want to dominate. It’s as simple as that,” Johnson said in one of his first press conferences as the Bears’ offensive coordinator. “We’re not here to just be good, or average. We’re here to make an impact, to show the league that we can score points, move the ball, and win games with a potent offense.”

While that sounds promising, it’s clear that Johnson’s ambitions are grounded in pragmatism. He’s not the kind of coach to get caught up in the hype surrounding his own name or the media buzz. As he was quick to point out, “Hype don’t win you no games.”

The Reality Check

The reality for the Bears, and for Johnson, is that building a successful offense takes time and patience. There is no quick fix. Even with Johnson’s expertise, there will be challenges along the way. Fields, who is entering his third year as the Bears’ starting quarterback, is still developing and learning how to become a consistent and accurate passer. His dual-threat ability is a major asset, but it also comes with the need for better decision-making and more trust in the passing game.

In addition to Fields’ development, the Bears have made moves to help bolster their offensive line and receiving corps. The addition of wide receiver DJ Moore via trade and the draft picks used to bolster the offensive line are steps in the right direction. But Rome wasn’t built in a day, and Johnson knows it.

“We’ve got pieces, but it’s about finding the right combinations and making sure the guys are playing to their full potential,” Johnson said. “There are no shortcuts to success in this league. It’s about hard work, dedication, and execution — and that’s what we’re focused on.”

It’s easy to get caught up in the offseason excitement, especially after adding a talented player like Moore, but Johnson’s message is clear: no matter how much talent you have, execution is key. The Bears aren’t guaranteed success just because they’ve added new pieces; they have to make them work in a functional, cohesive system.

Justin Fields’ Growth

The primary focus for the Bears’ offense will be the continued development of Justin Fields. The second-year quarterback has shown glimpses of brilliance, particularly with his legs, but his passing game remains a work in progress. Fields has a cannon for an arm and the athleticism to be a game-changer, but his consistency and decision-making in the pocket will be the keys to his future success.

Johnson’s reputation for maximizing quarterbacks makes him an ideal fit for Fields. In Detroit, he helped develop Jared Goff into one of the league’s more efficient quarterbacks, and he’s now tasked with doing the same for Fields. But this won’t be an overnight transformation. It will require patience, practice, and perhaps some growing pains along the way.

“The biggest thing is getting Justin to trust his process and stick with it,” Johnson explained. “He’s got all the tools in the world. We just need to fine-tune the mental side of his game. He’s working hard, and we’re confident that with time, he’s going to be one of the best.”

One of Johnson’s primary focuses with Fields will be improving his mechanics and decision-making. Fields showed last season that he can make incredible plays on the run, but at times, he struggles with consistency and timing in the pocket. Johnson will likely implement more RPOs (run-pass options) to utilize Fields’ legs, but he will also aim to develop a more traditional passing attack that can take advantage of his strong arm.

For Fields, the pressure is on to show that he can be a capable quarterback, but the Bears’ organizational strategy of taking it one step at a time is key to making sure his growth isn’t rushed.

The Bears’ Approach to Hype

While the excitement around the Bears is palpable, the team’s leadership has made it clear that they are focused on results, not headlines. Bears general manager Ryan Poles has emphasized that the team is building for the long term, and he’s not interested in jumping on the hype train.

“We know we’ve got a long road ahead of us,” Poles said during a recent press conference. “This isn’t about being flashy or trying to be the most talked-about team. It’s about steady, consistent growth and development.”

The focus for the Bears in 2025 is not on proving critics wrong, but on improving each day and making incremental strides. “Hype don’t win you no games” is more than just a phrase for the Bears — it’s their mantra. The team knows that success doesn’t come from flashy moves or media buzz. It comes from building a well-rounded, disciplined team and putting in the hard work to execute week in and week out.

The Defensive Foundation

While the Bears’ offense will be in the spotlight with Ben Johnson at the helm, it’s important to remember that the team’s success will be driven by more than just one side of the ball. The Bears’ defense, under coordinator Matt Eberflus, remains one of the team’s strong points. The addition of linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and defensive tackle Andrew Billings should only strengthen the defense and make it even harder for opponents to find success.

With a solid defense in place, the offense doesn’t have to be perfect — it simply needs to be efficient. If the Bears can continue to get stops and create turnovers, it will give Fields and the offense more opportunities to score. That balanced approach, where offense and defense complement each other, is the blueprint for success in Chicago.

The Road Ahead

As the 2025 season approaches, there are still many questions surrounding the Chicago Bears. Can they truly dominate under Ben Johnson’s offensive system? Will Justin Fields take the next step in his development? Can the Bears overcome their recent struggles and return to relevance in the NFC North?

Only time will tell, but the key to the Bears’ future success lies in their ability to stay grounded and focused on the task at hand. While there’s no denying the talent on the roster and the excitement surrounding the team’s new direction, the Bears’ mantra of “hype don’t win you no games” reminds everyone that success is earned, not expected.

In the end, it’s about putting in the work, trusting the process, and focusing on execution. The hype can only take you so far. What truly matters is what happens on the field. For the Bears, that means dominating through discipline, hard work, and a commitment to being better every day. Only then will they see the fruits of their labor — and maybe, just maybe, they’ll return to prominence in the NFC North once again.