BREAKING NEWS:  Bears’ Offensive Boss Ben Johnson Sounds Alarm on Practice Habits, Says Chicago Lacks Discipline Needed for Championship Push…Read More….

BREAKING NEWS:  Bears’ Offensive Boss Ben Johnson Sounds Alarm on Practice Habits, Says Chicago Lacks Discipline Needed for Championship Push…Read More….

The Chicago Bears’ pursuit of championship aspirations hit an unexpected snag this week when newly appointed offensive coordinator Ben Johnson issued a blunt critique of the team’s practice habits. Johnson, known for his fiery leadership and detail-oriented style, expressed serious concern over what he described as a lack of discipline and execution during the team’s recent workouts at Halas Hall.

Speaking to reporters after Thursday’s practice, Johnson didn’t mince words. “If we’re talking about building a championship-caliber football team, what I’ve seen so far isn’t it,” he said. “Talent only takes you so far. Discipline, attention to detail, and consistency—that’s what separates playoff teams from the rest of the league. Right now, we’re not close to where we need to be.”

The comments raised eyebrows across Chicago’s sports scene, not only because of their bluntness but also because they come just weeks into Johnson’s tenure. The former Detroit Lions coordinator was brought in during the offseason with hopes of unlocking the full potential of second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and revitalizing an offense that ranked near the bottom of the NFL last season.

Johnson’s critique zeroed in on the team’s inability to carry over concepts from the classroom to the field. He pointed to sloppy execution during drills, miscommunication between receivers and quarterbacks, and a general lack of urgency during practice periods. “You can’t flip the switch on Sundays if you’re not locked in Monday through Saturday,” Johnson emphasized. “Champions practice like champions. That’s the standard we’re going to demand.”

Some within the locker room reportedly welcomed the tough love. One veteran offensive lineman, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the truth in Johnson’s assessment. “He’s not wrong,” the player said. “We’ve got talent, no question, but sometimes it feels like we think that’s enough. Coach Johnson is making sure we realize it’s not.”

Head coach Matt Eberflus responded diplomatically when asked about Johnson’s remarks, saying he supports his coordinator’s high standards. “Ben was brought here to challenge this group and raise the bar,” Eberflus said. “I don’t see his comments as criticism—I see them as accountability. If we want to get where we want to go, that’s the mentality we need.”

Fans, meanwhile, appear split. Some praised Johnson’s honesty, viewing it as a refreshing dose of accountability for a franchise long stuck in mediocrity. Others worried that such public criticism could create tension inside a locker room still trying to find its identity under Williams’ leadership.

Either way, Johnson’s comments have set the tone. With training camp entering its final stretch and the preseason opener just around the corner, the Bears face a clear message: the margin for error is gone, and excuses will not be tolerated.

“We’re building something here,” Johnson concluded. “But if we want to be taken seriously as contenders, it starts with the little things. Right now, those little things aren’t good enough. That has to change—fast.”

For a team aiming to reestablish itself as a force in the NFC, Johnson’s wake-up call may prove to be exactly what the Bears need.