Kevin Byard has been in the NFL for a long time. This will be his tenth season in the league. In that time, he felt he developed an understanding of different coaching styles. Barely two weeks into his second Chicago Bears training camp, the former Pro Bowl safety has learned once again that life is full of surprises. Byard knew Ben Johnson by reputation, having faced his elite Detroit Lions offense twice last season. The man's acumen as a play-caller was well-documented. What he didn't know was how hard-edged the 38-year-old was.
Byard spoke to the media following Friday's joint practice with the Miami Dolphins. The Bears defense spent most of that time bullying their opponent in every drill. All of it stemmed from the tone set by Johnson when camp began. Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times shared the most notable comment.
“I haven’t been a part of a training camp like this before in my career, honestly,” said Byard, who is going into his 10th season.
Byard began his career with the middling Titans under Mike Mularkey, then saw the whole vibe shift when Mike Vrabel walked in the door and turned them into a smashmouth team on both sides of the ball.
“I just really enjoy the energy that he sets every single day,” Byard said of Johnson. “It feels very similar… to what it was when I was with Vrabel.”
Mike Vrabel took over a middling Tennessee Titans team in 2018. Over the next four seasons, he got them to the playoffs three times and developed a reputation as one of the toughest, hard-nosed teams in the NFL. It wasn't surprising given Vrabel's background as a former linebacker.
So, for Johnson to have a similar mentality? No wonder Byard was shocked.
Kevin Byard and others are feeding off of Johnson's will.
The head coach brings intensity to the practice field every day. He's consistent in mastering details and holding players accountable for their mistakes. Two things make up his team's identity: smash-mouth football and constant innovation—no wonder Kevin Byard and others have bought in. Players embrace the idea of not just beating but dominating their opponents. The problem is that most head coaches don't know how to exude that mentality. Johnson does, and it's turning this team into a bunch of hunters. The Bears are returning to the attitude of the George Halas days.
They will win one of two things on Sunday: the game or the fight. If players follow Johnson's lead, it will often be both. This will feel like the modern version of those old school teams fans grew to love.
