Nobody expected the Chicago Bears to be this far along already. The team was 5-12 last season, which included the second-longest losing streak in franchise history. They'd replaced their head coach midseason and their offensive coordinator twice. The new head coach would need at least a year to sort out the mess before the team became competitive. So you can understand the widespread shock at what Ben Johnson has accomplished. Despite what happened last year and Chicago's 0-2 start, he has them 8-3, leading the NFC North, and on the cusp of a playoff berth.
The craziest part is what he's accomplishing on offense. Nobody would ever say the Bears have the same wealth of talent as the Detroit Lions do on offense. It is one of the reasons people expected Johnson to struggle initially. Instead, he has the unit ranked top 10 in both scoring and total yards. The instant impact he's had across the board is astounding, and according to Stacey Dales of NFL Network, it has caught the attention of the entire NFL. They've suddenly grown nervous about what the future holds.
The NFL has seen developments like Ben Johnson before.
There is a reason every team is always on the lookout for that next brilliant offensive mind. There is a chance he could become the next Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, or Andy Reid. These guys have basically owned the league from a success standpoint for the past several years. Since 2019, McVay and Reid have won a combined four Super Bowls, while Shanahan has reached two of them. When you have a great offensive mind who is also a leader, all things become possible.
That is why Ben Johnson has the league wary. Keep in mind, this Bears roster is one he inherited. Most of the players on it were drafted by a different regime. He hasn't yet gotten the pieces in place to fit his vision. The scariest part is he's already in the process of doing so. Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, Kyle Monangai, and Ozzy Trapilo have made big contributions this season. If he gets Caleb Williams to the point where things are trending, the NFL is in trouble.
