'I kinda enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur': Takeaways from Ben Johnson's Chicago Bears press conference

Welcome to Chicago, Ben Johnson. The Chicago Bears are glad to have you.

Johnson spoke for a half hour on Wednesday morning as he introduced himself to the media, to the Bears and to Bears fans worldwide who tuned in.

He said plenty that will make Bears fans smile.

Here are our takeaways from Ben Johnson's introductory press conference as the Chicago Bears' next head coach.

Johnson wanted to stay in the NFC North

Johnson had his chance to take a head coaching position last offseason. The timing, though, wasn't right.

Now is the right time, for a multitude of reasons.

In fact, one of the reasons why Johnson took the job in Chicago is because he gets to stay in the NFC North. The competitor in him wants the challenge. The play caller that led the Lions to the No. 1 seed in the NFC wants to prove he can beat the best division in football.

"I know this is the toughest division in football," Johnson said.

Then, Johnson dropped a line that will make all Bears fans around the world smile.

"I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year," Johnson said with a smile.

Johnson sees a talented roster in Chicago already

It wasn't just us.

When Johnson was calling plays for Detroit, he saw a team that had a roster that was ready to compete in the NFC North.

"This place is a sleeping giant,'' Johnson said. "I was more concerned about the Chicago Bears than anyone else in this division."

We all saw the same thing and had high expectations. It didn't play out that way, but that's why Johnson is standing in Halas Hall now.

Johnson didn't use a cliché about having a team, or drop a line about complimentary football, he acknowledged one of the biggest keys to winning in the NFL is having a talented quarterback. He said the Bears have one in Caleb Williams.

However, he'd be remiss if he didn't mention the rest of the roster that includes a built defense, and offensive weapons like D'Andre Swift, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet.

"Everyone wants to talk about the quarterback," Johnson said. "There are already pieces in place."

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 22: Newly named head coach Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears poses with general manager Ryan Poles during a introductory press conference at PNC Center at Halas Hall on January 22, 2025 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo

Johnson's plan on offense starts with Caleb Williams

When it comes to Johnson's offense, though, getting the quarterback up to speed as quickly as possible is the priority.

That will take place through the spring while the Bears continue to piece together their roster. 

Johnson said his vision for getting Caleb Williams developed as part of the plan he laid out for Poles starts with time on task, trust between quarterback and coach, offensive integration and getting Williams to see the game through the play caller's eyes.

He's not going to fit the Lions' offense around Williams. He's going to fit the offense around Williams' talents.

"This is not simply a dropping of a previous playbook down on the table and starting there," Johnson said. "No, we're ripping this thing down to the studs and we're going to build it up with him first and foremost. And then with the pieces around him next, I really look forward to challenging him and pushing him."

This is significant because Williams' presence in Chicago was a big reason Johnson decided to take the job.

"It is clear that modern football in the NFL is quarterback driven. That, that is no secret," Johnson said. "You can look at analytics right now. Quarterback success is a higher predictor of winning and losing than turnover ratio, which it's been for 20 plus years. That's changed. So, there's no doubt Caleb played a large component into my decision."

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Johnson knows where to start in roster construction

In Detroit, Johnson was blessed with one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. In Chicago, that'll need some work.

The good news is those conversations have already started to take place.

"Offensive line is certainly an area that we need to get better play from going forward, something that Ryan and I have already talked about," Johnson said. "We will develop a plan of attack for how to get that done."

Johnson can't bring Penei Sewell with him from the Lions, but he and Poles certainly can.

"I'm looking forward to getting an excellent offensive line coach into the building to help develop the young talent that we already have on the roster," Johnson said. "We will certainly talk about acquiring talent to bolster that unit as well. But I was certainly blessed the last few years with the men that I worked with, and that was something I would love to replicate here as well."

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