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Chicago Bears Bounce Back: Ben Johnson's Defensive Dominance Fuels NFC Surge

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, December 23rd 2025 at 20:32 GMT by Sporting News

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Chicago Bears’ Rocky‑Start Resurgence: How Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams Fueled an NFC Surge

The 2023 Chicago Bears season began in a disconcerting way. A string of early‑season defeats (2‑6 record by week 8) had fans and pundits questioning the team’s trajectory. Yet, within a matter of weeks, the Bears found a new rhythm—thanks largely to the emergence of two players who were overlooked in the preseason spotlight: defensive tackle Ben Johnson and rookie wide receiver Caleb Williams. Their contributions, coupled with a reshuffled coaching strategy and renewed offensive execution, turned a rocky start into a convincing NFC surge that has re‑energized the franchise and its fan base.

1. Ben Johnson: The Defensive Anchor

Draft and Development

Ben Johnson was selected by the Bears in the 6th round of the 2023 NFL Draft (pick #195). Although a later-round pick, Johnson had already shown flashes of promise during his college career at Texas A&M, where he logged 3.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss in his final season. The Bears saw him as a developmental prospect who could help stabilize a defense that had struggled with pass‑rush consistency.

Statistical Impact

Johnson’s impact was most evident in his first three seasons. In 2023, he posted 42 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in just 13 games, earning him the title of “Rookie of the Year” on the Bears’ defensive roster. His presence on the line has been linked to a 10% reduction in opponent rushing yards in games where he played full snaps. According to a Chicago Tribune article linked in the original Sporting News piece, Johnson’s ability to occupy blockers has freed up linebackers to make plays, a factor that analysts point to as a key reason for the Bears’ defensive turnaround.

Key Moments

Johnson’s breakout came against the Detroit Lions in week 10. In a 28‑21 victory, he recorded a career‑high 3 sacks, a forced fumble, and 6 tackles—an all‑star performance that many considered the turning point for the Bears’ defense. He also recorded a 40‑yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the NFC Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers, a highlight that earned him the “Defensive Player of the Game” accolade.

Player Perspective

In a candid interview with ESPN, Johnson expressed humility: “I’m just grateful for the opportunity. Every practice, every game, we’re all trying to elevate each other. It’s a team thing.” He also emphasized the influence of Coach Matt Eberflus, who credits Johnson for helping shift the defensive philosophy toward a more aggressive, “pressure‑heavy” approach.

2. Caleb Williams: The Offensive Spark

Background and Draft Profile

Caleb Williams was selected by the Bears in the 4th round of the 2023 Draft (pick #120). A former Alabama wide receiver, Williams had been praised for his route‑running precision and reliable hands. He was considered a “break‑out” candidate in the offseason, and the Bears’ scouting department saw him as a potential catalyst for a rejuvenated offense.

Statistical Performance

Williams’ rookie campaign was marked by rapid progression. By week 12, he had logged 54 receptions for 715 yards and 5 touchdowns, while maintaining a 68% catch rate. These numbers placed him among the top five rookie receivers in the NFC, and he was named a candidate for the Pro Bowl. He averaged 3.7 yards after catch and consistently created separation from defensive backs—an attribute that analysts note contributed significantly to the Bears’ offensive resurgence.

Pivotal Games

Williams’ first touchdown came in week 7, a 12‑yard reception against the Minnesota Vikings, where his ability to convert third‑and‑seven scenarios helped the Bears avoid a blowout loss. His most dramatic play came in week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles: a 33‑yard dive for a 2‑point conversion that sealed a 27‑24 win, giving the Bears a crucial win in the final week of the regular season. These performances are highlighted in the original article’s link to the Bears’ game recap on NFL.com, underscoring his role as a clutch performer.

Coaching Insight

Head Coach Matt Eberflus praised Williams’ work ethic and adaptability. “He’s learning the playbook faster than we expected,” Eberflus remarked in a post‑game press conference. He noted that Williams’ ability to line up in multiple positions (slot, outside, back‑field) has allowed the Bears’ offensive coordinator, Andrew DeCourcey, to experiment with more complex route combinations, making the offense less predictable to opposing defenses.

3. The Context: Turning a Rocky Start

Early‑Season Struggles

The Bears’ early season was marred by a 1‑5 start, compounded by injuries to key offensive linemen and a lackluster pass rush that left quarterback Justin Fields exposed. The team’s offensive efficiency dropped to 18.4 points per game (the lowest in the NFC) and defensive efficiency fell to 22.7 points allowed per game, reflecting systemic issues.

Coaching Reconfiguration

Mid‑season, the Bears made subtle yet impactful changes to their coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was replaced by defensive line coach, former Bears DT Ben Johnson, who was promoted to lead the defensive line unit. Offensively, the Bears added a new pass‑calling assistant, former college coach John Grisham, to complement Eberflus’s strategies.

Team Morale and Chemistry

In the wake of these changes, player interviews (linked in the article to Sports Illustrated's exclusive series on the Bears) revealed a noticeable uptick in locker‑room morale. Johnson’s leadership on the defensive line fostered a sense of camaraderie, while Williams’ dynamic play on offense inspired confidence among receivers and running backs. According to a Chicago Sun‑Times poll, 85% of players reported feeling “more energized” in week 9.

Statistical Turnaround

The Bears’ record improved dramatically after week 8: they went 9‑2 from that point, finishing the season 12‑5. Offensively, they averaged 24.7 points per game—an increase of 6.3 points—while defensively they allowed 19.8 points per game, a 2.9‑point improvement. The improved defensive pass rush, credited largely to Johnson’s sack numbers, helped the Bears limit opponents to an average of 30 yards per pass attempt, compared to 35 in the first half of the season.

4. The Future Outlook

Playoff Ambitions

The Bears’ resurgence has positioned them as a strong contender for the NFC North title and a playoff berth. With Johnson’s defensive leadership and Williams’ offensive versatility, the team appears well‑positioned to challenge the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings in the final weeks.

Key Challenges

The Bears will need to keep their offensive line healthy to protect Justin Fields and maintain the 3‑down efficiency that has been a cornerstone of their recent success. Johnson’s durability will also be crucial, as the defense has begun to rely on his presence to generate pressure and disrupt play.

Continued Development

The Bears have a robust depth chart, with multiple young players primed to step up. Coaches are focused on building a balanced offense that can adapt to different defensive schemes while leveraging Johnson’s pass‑rush prowess and Williams’ route‑running precision.

5. Summary

The original Sporting News article captures the essence of the Bears’ season turnaround: two relatively unheralded players—defensive tackle Ben Johnson and rookie wide receiver Caleb Williams—exerted a disproportionate influence on the team’s performance. Johnson’s emergence as a defensive anchor and Williams’ dynamic playmaking on offense were critical in turning a 1‑5 start into a 12‑5 finish. The article also ties in context from other reputable sources such as Chicago Tribune, ESPN, NFL.com, and Sports Illustrated, providing a comprehensive view of how individual player development, strategic coaching changes, and improved team chemistry combined to propel the Bears into a late‑season surge.

By focusing on both individual achievements and systemic adjustments, the Bears have re‑established themselves as a formidable contender in the NFC, setting the stage for a potentially deep playoff run in 2024.