LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Bears head coach Ben Johnson has believed all along that his new team could have a turnaround in his first season in Chicago.
The Bears are still a long way from their best form as they're working to clean up inconsistencies, but they've won three straight games to improve to 3-2 on the young season.
"Really, in all three phases, we still haven’t played the best football that we’re capable of playing yet, and so that’s what’s encouraging to me as a coach,” Johnson said. “When it’s ugly, we’re still finding a way to win and we're developing that belief. But at the same time, holy cow, how far can we push this thing? Like, let’s see how good we can really get this season. There’s a long way that we can still go, and I think they see that and they feel that. I'm really encouraged by it. It wakes me up in the morning and gets me going."
That certainly applies for the Bears’ offense, which has put up points despite some uneven play early on. Struggles were expected by many early in Johnson's tenure as the Bears worked toward establishing an identity, but they're also inspiring hope.
The Bears are averaging 25.2 points per game, which ranks 10th in the NFL. They've scored at least 21 points in their first five contests this season, marking the first time the franchise had done that since 1995.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has showcased strides in his individual play, and the rest of the offense is benefitting.
Through five games, the Bears’ offense is taking form. Now, those leading it are eager to discover its full potential.
“We’ve gotten better, but we got to get a lot better,” Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said. “There’s still a lot of room to improve in all aspects of it. We have yet to play our cleanest brand of football and put that on tape. I think we’re capable of a lot, yet it still is every day coming back to it and focusing on the little details that lead us there.”
The Bears haven’t had a top-10 scoring offense since 2018, which was then-coach Matt Nagy's first season in Chicago. The Bears' highest ranking since then was when they ranked 18th in scoring in 2023.
The Bears ranked 28th in scoring and dead last in yardage in the NFL in 2024. Williams threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions, displaying promise despite a revolving door at Halas Hall. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and head coach Matt Eberflus were each fired in November.
Williams sought a partner with whom he could build this Bears offense. He found him when the Bears hired Johnson. The two are wired similarly and each seeking ways to improve.
On Tuesday, Williams went to the second floor of Halas Hall and sat down in Johnson’s office. In that particular meeting, they honed in on Williams’ footwork while he scrambles outside the pocket. They've also gone over details like pre-snap cadence, proper steps on a drop-back and vision in the pocket.
Every detail matters to Johnson, and Williams embraces that.
“I’ve been saying that since I’ve been here, that I got a lot in the tank for this team,” Williams said. “And I’ll do whatever I have to do to be able to help this team win.”
The reality is that a large leap for this Bears offense only puts them slightly above average compared to the rest of the league. Entering Week 7, the NFL scoring average is 23.1 points per game. Williams’ 98.0 passer rating is good for 17th in the league and better than the NFL-wide 94.2 average.
The greatest area for potential improvement for the Bears offense is with its rushing attack, which ranked 25th in 2024 and ranks 18th this season. Running back D'Andre Swift is coming off his best game of the season, having carried 14 times for 108 yards in Chicago's 25-24 win at Washington on Monday.
Swift’s strong performance came after the Bears reshuffled their offensive line, removing three-year starter Braxton Jones from his left tackle position and replacing him with second-year pro Theo Benedet.
It was the type of breakthrough performance that Swift and the Bears had sought.
“I equate it to better fundamentals up front,” Johnson said.
The Bears have scored on 41.8% of their offensive possessions this season, their highest mark in 26 years (that statistic is charted on Pro Football Reference starting in 1999). It’s a quality mark, though only slightly ahead of the NFL’s 40.2% average.
By comparison, Johnson led a Lions offense in 2024 that was No. 1 in scoring at 33.2 points per game and which scored on a league-best 51.6% of its possessions.
It’s still early in the season, but the results are promising for the Bears, who have an offense that’s taking shape under Johnson's watch.
There’s reason to believe that the Bears have much better in store ahead.
Emma’s prediction (2-3): Bears 31, Saints 15
The Bears’ winning streak will reach four after a strong performance back at home. Caleb Williams will lead another productive day for the offense, while Dennis Allen’s defense will have fun against his former team.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.