(670 The Score) Since he was hired by the Bears in late January, Ben Johnson has been building toward his first training camp as head coach.
Johnson challenged the players during his introductory press conference — “get comfortable being uncomfortable,” he said – and has set a new standard during the offseason program. Soon, the training camp setting at Halas Hall will be the proving grounds for whether the Bears are up for the task under Johnson's direction.
Bears rookies will report to Lake Forest by Saturday. Veterans will arrive by Tuesday. The team will hold its first practice Wednesday morning on the back fields at Halas Hall.
Here are the top storylines to follow as the Bears get back to work.
Ben's new way
Plenty went awry for the Bears in their 10-game losing streak last season, but a common theme was they looked checked out.
The Bears’ investment wavered in then-coach Matt Eberflus and his staff – and with each passing loss, it eventually disappeared. Eberflus was fired by the Bears after their sixth consecutive defeat, a disastrous Thanksgiving loss in Detroit. By that point, there was no saving the season. The focus was on rebuilding the culture with a new head coach.
Johnson was tabbed by the Bears in large part because of his reputation as a firm leader. Though he has never been a head coach at any level, Johnson established himself in Detroit as a tough, disciplined figure alongside head coach Dan Campbell.
During the Bears’ offseason program, Johnson wasn't shy about raising his voice or challenging players by literally getting in front of their facemasks. That figures to continue as training camp begins.
Johnson surrounded himself with a coaching staff that carries a similar mindset and is eager to demand the best of the players. In turn, the hope is that the Bears players will push each other along the way.
"This isn't a program where it's like you're trying to be guys' friends,” Bears veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said. “Hopefully they buy in. (But) you got to get with it. I've been around for a long time, and that's the kind of culture you have to set early. Because when the expectations are high, that's what you want."
Year 2 for QB1
As a rookie in 2024, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams endured the miserable losing streak and worked under two different head coaches and three different offensive coordinators. There was constant change around him.
Despite that all, Williams still showcased progress and potential in his first year. Now, he’s looking to take a significant step forward, with the Bears' belief being that Johnson will get the best out of him.
Williams should feel more comfortable in his second season, even with the need to start over again with Johnson. There are lessons to take from his rookie season, but he's also looking forward.
"I wanted to come here and be the guy, be a part or the reason of why the Chicago Bears turn this thing around,” Williams said in June.
If Williams is the caliber of talent the Bears believe he can be, he should be able to withstand the challenges of change and rise above it. His quest to lead the Bears to a breakthrough will start in training camp, where he'll be tested by Chicago's defense. As in the past, the practices will offer a glimpse of where Williams and the offense stand heading into the season.
It’s reasonable to expect growing pains early on as Williams learns a new system, but the Bears want to see him and his offense rise above it all.
Dennis’ defense
The Bears envision Johnson as their leader for many years to come, and they also hope defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will hold his position down for a long time.
Allen, 52, struggled in two stints as a head coach. It’s unlikely that he'll be in consideration for head coaching jobs moving forward. But Allen is a proven, successful defensive coordinator whom Johnson coveted for the job. If all goes well, the Johnson-Allen union will last for years.
The Bears defense regressed last season. After ranking 12th in total defense in 2023, the Bears ranked 27th in 2024. There's a defensive core in place, and it's Allen's job to maximize it. He has made a strong impression early on.
“It's everything I thought it would be, really,” Johnson said. “It's a guy that's done it at a high level. He's coordinated, he's orchestrated a number of high-performing defenses. Whether it's points allowed, whether it's third-down defense, whether it's red zone, he's got a plan, he's super smart.
“He's aggressive by nature. I can appreciate that about him, and I think he's got a great message every time these guys walk into the building and go to one of his meetings. And so I'm really excited about working with him.”
Present, future at offensive tackle
The Bears made a significant investment in their offensive line this offseason, signing center Drew Dalman to a three-year contract and acquiring left guard Joe Thuney and right guard Jonah Jackson in trades.
With those three joining tackle Darnell Wright, the Bears have four starters set. But who will be the other starting tackle and which side will he play?
The Bears have considered the possibility of sliding Wright from right tackle – his position of the last two seasons – over to the left side. The idea would be to better protect Williams’ blindside and create a strong tandem with Thuney on the left side.
The Bears’ options to start at the other tackle position – regardless of whether that’s left or right tackle – are Braxton Jones, Ozzy Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie.
Jones has spent this offseason recovering from ankle surgery. It’s unclear whether he'll participate in practices when they start next week. Trapilo, a second-round pick this year, and Amegadjie, a third-round pick in 2024, rotated at left tackle during the offseason program.
The Bears don’t want to rush the decision. It’s one with significant ramifications for their present and future. They hope to be setting a starting offensive line for beyond just this season.
It’s an intriguing position to follow as the Bears put their pads on in late July.
Joint practices
Two AFC East contenders will come to Lake Forest for practices in August. The Bears will welcome in the Dolphins (on Aug. 8) and Bills (on Aug. 15) for joint practices leading up to their preseason games at Soldier Field.
Joint practices tend to be highly competitive and are often quite spirited. In these cases, the Bears will get a pair of good tests against a pair of quality opponents.
It’s possible the Bears could hold back their starting units in those preseason games if they feel the joint practices were sufficient work at that time. Johnson’s strategy for the exhibition slate isn't yet known.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.