With a new voice leading the way, Bears are following Ben Johnson's charge to change the culture: 'Hold everybody to the highest level'

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — A voice echoed from sideline to sideline, a familiar refrain at Halas Hall these days, and the Bears' first-team offense backed off the line of scrimmage.

"Do it right" yelled out new head coach Ben Johnson to his Bears with more colorful language also attached.

And that's what Johnson's players did – returning to the huddle and getting set properly before the snap.

"The intensity level of Ben Johnson is very evident," said Bears safety Kevin Byard, who's entering his 10th NFL season.

"You can definitely hear him out there."

When Johnson was formally introduced by the Bears on Jan. 22 in a Halas Hall auditorium, he looked to his left with a message. Seated in the first row were quarterback Caleb Williams, receiver DJ Moore, receiver Rome Odunze and tight end Cole Kmet, to whom Johnson delivered the phrase, "Get comfortable being uncomfortable." It was a warning to the entire roster.

In 2024, the Bears endured a miserable spiral amid a 10-game losing streak. Throughout that slide, players called upon then-head coach Matt Eberflus and his staff to coach them harder. Those comments underscored the cultural issues in the locker room and the disconnect between Bears players and coaches.

Johnson understood that troubling matter when he took the job. He recognized that for the Bears to bounce back, he had to set a new standard.

The Bears are in just their second week of voluntary OTAs, which include light practice work without pads or contact. Johnson has reminded his players that this is the time of the year to make mistakes, but he'll be forceful and direct in correcting them.

Details matter to Johnson, who believes they translate to success.

"There's a certain way that the play needs to get communicated in the huddle," Johnson said. "There's a certain way that the break should sound to us that means that we're ready for business, and we're ready to get going. And if it doesn't sound that way, then we're just not going to allow the practice to go south."

During a practice last week inside the Walter Payton Center, the Bears' offense backed off the football. With a tone of frustration, Johnson had a clear message for Kmet about how he was aligned at the line of scrimmage.

Those who have worked with Johnson have described him as a cordial individual away from the football field and a different person once he crosses over those lines.

Johnson carries himself with an edge that has been abundantly clear to his new team.

"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."

When the Bears fired Eberflus on Nov. 29, general manager Ryan Poles began forming his list for the coaching search and identifying candidates who would fit his team. Poles recognized the importance of an offensive-minded head coach who could connect well with Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Beyond that, it was also critical to hire a head coach who would hold the group accountable.

In hiring Johnson, the Bears believe they checked both boxes. They landed a brilliant offensive tactician who also understands the importance of setting a winning way at Halas Hall.

The Bears don't just hear Johnson's directive. They certainly feel it too.

"I mean, just to be honest, this organization over the last 10 years or whatever, like, it's been a losing culture," Byard said. "We haven't really won a lot, so you have to drastically come in and try to rearrange everything. Because whatever we've been doing hasn't been working. And I think that that's the beauty of the guys that they've brought in the past couple years, with Poles and trying to reshape the roster. It's all about trying to go in and win right now. But it takes a culture. Whether it's details, accountability and all that stuff, we're trying to hold everybody to the highest level.

"That's the main thing we're trying to get accomplished, is really shifting the culture, changing the culture and not trying to do what we've done in the past. And just try to look forward toward the future."

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.