'These people are special': Read Ben Johnson's message to Chicago Bears fans

The Chicago Bears have officially named Ben Johnson as their new head coach, marking the start of a new era for the franchise.

Johnson addressed the media and fans on Wednesday morning, sharing his vision for the team and his excitement for the future.

What we know:

Johnson, previously the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, thanked the Lions organization, including owner Sheila Ford Hamp and head coach Dan Campbell, for their support during his time in Detroit.

"They made it a great place for my family and me," Johnson said, highlighting the strong relationships he built with players and staff.

During his introductory remarks, Johnson shared his reasons for pursuing the Bears' head coaching job. He praised the team’s roster, especially quarterback Caleb, and expressed enthusiasm about working with general manager Ryan Poles.

"This roster is absolutely loaded with talent already," Johnson said, adding that his mission is to build on that foundation and start winning immediately.

Johnson also made it clear that he intends to set high expectations for the players.

"Get comfortable being uncomfortable," he told them, emphasizing that reaching their potential will require being pushed and challenged.

What they're saying:

Johnson reflected on his love for Chicago, sharing that he and his family have been visiting the city for years.

"It doesn’t take long to realize that this place is special," he said. "These people are special."

He also acknowledged the toughness of the NFC North division, calling it "the toughest division in football right now" and expressing respect for the rival coaches and players.

What's next:

With his hiring official, Johnson will begin assembling his coaching staff and preparing for the offseason. He made it clear that the team's mission is to win immediately, and he aims to bring clarity, consistency, and structure to the organization.

Ben Johnson's full remarks

"Good morning.

It is an honor to stand before everyone today as the head coach of the Chicago Bears. I would be remiss not to acknowledge a number of people that have helped me along the way here, starting with where I just came from.

Sheila Ford Hamp and her family have been incredible for the last six years of my life, making Detroit and the Lions organization a great place for me and my family and raising our kids. Dan Campbell is more than just a colleague to me. He is a friend. He's a mentor. He is a man that trusted me when he didn't need to. And I will forever be in his debt and respect the heck out of him. He's an amazing person. One time someone told me he is a unicorn and there could not be more true words than that. I appreciate Rod Wood, Mike Disner, the rest of the executives there in Detroit. They were a pleasure to work with and it was one of the most memorable times being able to turn that franchise around.

The offensive staff in Detroit, there might have been some tough nights, there might have been some tough game days. But I do appreciate your support, your understanding and really your camaraderie at the end of the day. The players and this is one of the hardest things to do is to leave a group of men that you love. And I will forever be impacted by St. Brown, Goff, Ragnow. I can keep going on and on and on. One of the reasons you get into coaching is to make the people around you better. But the truth is, those group of guys, they made me a better coach and a better person. They inspired me every single day. And I loved driving into work to work with those men every single day.

One of the biggest pieces of the puzzle for me is my family, my wife. You've been the rock. I know it has not been easy. One of the most selfish things I've ever done is to ask you to come on this adventure. And you did it full steam ahead. No ifs, ands or buts. And you've become a fantastic mother and such an incredible partner. This is not my journey. This is our journey. Thank you so much, along the way.

Rick Smith and Priority Sports, thank you for making this transition seamless for me. Things happened fast once the season ended and you were able to provide all the necessary information to make an informed decision. Thank you for that.

With that being said, I want to thank the search committee here in Chicago. It was clear to me from the beginning that the priorities were straight. There's only one way for us to have success here, and that's the right people in place. George, thank you for trusting the people that you've hired. It is perfectly clear that you're willing to provide all the resources necessary for us to build a sustained winter here in Chicago. Kevin, I appreciate your support as well. You're going to play an integral part of everything that we have going on. And Ryan, thank you so much for trusting and believing in me. What you and your staff have already built here is so enticing. This roster is absolutely loaded with talent already, and I look forward to building it with you. You and I, as we've already talked about, we're going to be in lockstep every step of the way. I cannot wait to work with you.

I told the search committee that I wanted this job, and there's several reasons why I wanted this job. The first is this place. For the last ten-plus years, my family and I have been coming up for a Cubs series every summer, and it doesn't take long to realize that this place is special. These people are special. This is exactly where I wanted to raise my family, my kids. I know we're going to have so much fun living up here in Chicago.

Number two is this roster that Ryan's already built, it is stocked, it's loaded. Everyone wants to talk about the quarterback. And Caleb, I am excited to work with you, but it's going to take more than just you. And there are a lot of pieces already in place, and I can't wait to get to work with the rest of you guys. And then finally, I wanted to stay in this division. I know this is the toughest division in football right now. There's three teams that made the playoffs this year. I've got tremendous amount of respect for the coaches and the players in this league, having competed against them for the last six years.

Dave Campbell, Kevin O'Connell, you're talking about two guys that are up for Coach of the Year awards as the season ends here. And to be quite frank with you, I kind of enjoyed beating Matt Leflaure twice a year.

With that being said, I do have a message here for the players. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. The bar has been set higher than it's ever been set before. The only way for this team and for you as individual players to reach your potential is to be pushed and to be challenged. And that's exactly what I and my staff plan on doing. We are going to push. We're going to challenge. And along with those high standards, there's also going to be a high level of support as well. Everybody in this building is going to be all about helping you guys out. How do you become the best versions of yourselves? That's what it's going to be about from start to finish. When you walk in, it'll be crystal clear the communication, the structure and the consistency, and that will never waver.

Our mission starting this spring is to win and to win now. I get goosebumps right now just thinking about being the head coach of the Chicago Bears. I know exactly what this role and this responsibility requires, and I cannot wait to get to work. Thank you."

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