Bears HC Ben Johnson issues big warning to NFC North rivals ahead of 2025 NFL season

The Chicago Bears are determined to stop being mere bystanders in the NFC North, and with the arrival of Ben Johnson as head coach, the message is clear about what’s to come for the 2025 NFL season. The former Lions OC is looking to join the conversation among the top coaches alongside Dan Campbell, Kevin O’Connell, and Matt LaFleur.

George McCaskey was the one who first interviewed Johnson, and it was during that meeting that the Bears‘ newly appointed head coach made his warning to the rest of the division teams clear: “I want that smoke.”

Once the search began for who would succeed Matt Eberflus as head coach, Ben Johnson emerged as one of the top candidates, despite interest from several franchises wanting to secure the services of the former Lions OC.

“Anytime there’s a process like this, you hear all these crazy stories, and you don’t know their origins,” Bears chairman McCaskey said. “You don’t know who’s planting them. You have serious doubts about their authenticity. And for the guy to say, ‘Contrary to what you might have heard, I want to work with Ryan — and I want to be the next head coach of the Chicago Bears.’”

Head coach Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The support of his players for Johnson

The team welcomed Ben Johnson’s arrival to the franchise with open arms, and everyone is excited about the prospect of a strong campaign in the NFL. Tremaine Edmunds was one of the players who spoke out about this new chapter for the Bears.

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Bears QB Caleb Williams makes something clear about Ben Johnson ahead of 2025 NFL season

“You can feel it, the confidence level. Being a first-time head coach, being able to address the room, that’s important. You feel that as players. … I felt that. I’m like, ‘OK, this guy’s the real deal,’” the linebacker told Chris Emma of 670 The Score.

Caleb Williams also weighed in on the arrival of Johnson: “If you have that position right, it helps with a bunch of different things,” the QB said. “So, building that bond, him pushing me and us growing together for years to come. It’s going to be fun. I can’t wait. And to be able to learn more about ball, because he’s super smart, super sharp.”