When new Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson was entering the 2024 season with the Detroit Lions, he was more concerned about what the Bears could do in the NFC North than any other opponent. He believed the Bears — who finished the season 5-12 — were “a sleeping giant.

The Chicago Bears drafted quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, which was a big step towards finally getting this offense to where it needs to be. This offseason, they hired Ben Johnson to be their head coach, which is the next step.

Ben Johnson had been used to seeing Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet from across a sideline, but last Wednesday they sat front row at Johnson's introductory press conference to support their new head coach.