What Does Ben Johnson Want the 2026 Bears to Look Like?

· Yahoo Sports

As the Chicago Bears opened organized team activities (OTAs), Head Coach Ben Johnson made it clear that the team’s focus is not on future opponents or grand expectations.

Rather, the Bears are concentrating on building the foundation that will define their 2026 season.

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Johnson is Building the Bears’ Identity

Johnson said the emphasis during OTAs is on establishing daily habits, discipline, communication and consistency. After spending the first phase of the offseason program in meetings and workouts, the full roster is now working together on the practice field.

According to Johnson, the early signs have been encouraging.

“We’ve got a bunch of really hard workers,” he said in the interview, praising the team’s approach over the last five weeks of offseason work.

Johnson’s emphasis on habits and consistency reflects a team that understands long-term success is built long before week one. While OTA practices are limited in terms of physical contact and game preparation, they often serve as the foundation for a team’s culture. The Bears are focused on creating an environment where expectations and accountability are established early.

A Faster Offense

One notable difference from last year is how comfortable returning players appear within the system. Johnson said veterans know what meetings and practice are supposed to look like, allowing them to play faster rather than think through details.

That comfort level is especially evident on offense, where players are building on the work they put in during Johnson’s first year leading the team.

The offensive line, receivers and quarterback room all showed signs of progress during the opening OTA session, according to Johnson.

The increased comfort within the system is an important development for an offense entering its second year under Johnson. NFL offenses often make their biggest leap once players are no longer learning terminology and assignments. Players are focused on execution, which will lead to better timing and fewer mistakes.

Caleb Williams Showing Growth

Johnson pointed to quarterback Caleb Williams as one of the biggest examples of that growth.

He recalled struggling to break the huddle and maintain offensive tempo during last year’s offseason program. Those issues were largely absent during the first OTA practice this spring.

With the fundamentals becoming second nature, the coaching staff can now focus on more advanced aspects of quarterback play, including defensive recognition and identifying coverage indicators before the snap.

Johnson also stressed accuracy and efficiency as major priorities for the offense moving forward.

Williams’ development may be the most important storyline of the offseason. Johnson’s comments suggest the quarterback is progressing beyond basic operational responsibilities and beginning to focus on the mental aspects of the position. The ability to identify defensive looks before and process information quickly is often what separates promising young quarterbacks from established franchise players.

Luther Burden Turning Heads

One of the standout performances of the offseason has been that of wide receiver Luther Burden.

Johnson said he is “buying Luther Burden stock” after watching the young receiver attack the offseason program. Burden reportedly produced several explosive plays during practice while showing improvement in areas such as route running and break points.

Johnson believes Burden is beginning to unlock part of his game that goes beyond simply creating yards after the catch.

“He’s playing at a different speed right now,” Johnson said.

Burden’s strong start to the offseason could give the Bears another dynamic weapon in an offense that is already expected to improve. While his playmaking ability after the catch was well known entering the NFL, Johnson’s comments indicate growth in the technical areas of the position.

Fundamentals First on Defense

While much of the attention has been focused on the offense, Johnson said the defensive coaching staff has spent the spring concentrating on fundamentals and technique rather than installing large portions of the playbook.

Johnson, who has spent more time sitting in on defensive meetings this offseason, praised the coaching staff’s attention to detail and teaching ability.

The goal, he said, is to establish a strong technical foundation now before expanding the scheme later in the offseason.

The decision to focus on fundamentals rather than scheme installation highlights a patient approach by the coaching staff. Defensive success is built on technique and communication. By prioritizing those areas now, the Bears aim to build a stronger foundation to support more advanced concepts later in training camp.

Looking Ahead

Despite growing excitement surrounding the Bears, Johnson is keeping the focus firmly on the present.

He said the team is not worried about being viewed as a contender or handling increased expectations. Instead, the Bears are concentrating on improving every day and developing habits they believe will lead to success when the season arrives.

Johnson’s message throughout OTAs has remained consistent to ignore outside expectations and focus on daily improvement. That approach may be especially important for a Bears team facing increased attention entering 2026.

For now, Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears are focusing on laying the groundwork first and letting everything else follow.

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