Ben Johnson believes the Chicago Bears have only scratched the surface after their first season together. Claiming the NFC North crown and advancing in the playoffs, with Caleb Williams showing he is the cornerstone of the franchise, was a solid beginning. However, Johnson is already looking at far greater achievements for the upcoming year.
The Bears’ head coach wants his squad to contend for the championship while also etching their names into the league’s history books. His goals include surpassing the all-time mark for points scored in a season, delivering overwhelming defensive efforts, and putting together a run of victories that would eclipse one of the NFL’s most celebrated records.
Johnson and the Bears aim to rewrite the scoring record
Johnson has stated openly that winning the title is not the only thing on his mind. In a conversation with The Athletic’s Dan Pompei, he expressed his desire for the Bears to become the highest-scoring offense in league history, topping the 2013 Denver Broncos’ average of 37.9 points per game.
The coach also wants to see his defense post shutouts and dominate opponents with lopsided results. While all 31 other teams will enter training camp with championship aspirations, Johnson thinks the Bears should push themselves further and strive for unprecedented milestones.
His philosophy is not just about setting a lofty point total. Johnson wants his players to understand that improvement is always possible, using the chance to set new benchmarks as a way to keep everyone motivated.
Bears pursue a title and a 21-game winning streak
Winning the Super Bowl remains the primary goal for Johnson, but he has another record in mind as well. He wants the Bears to go after the 21-game consecutive win streak that was established during Bill Belichick’s early run with New England.
Johnson also mentioned an even bolder possibility: finishing a season without a loss. He asked why the Bears could not chase that kind of perfection and encouraged his players to think beyond typical limitations.
For Johnson, the Super Bowl is the immediate destination, but he wants his team to look past it. His message to the Bears is that these grand ambitions should be part of their daily mindset.
Why Johnson welcomes such high expectations
Johnson’s comments could easily draw criticism, especially after a strong first year in Chicago. Yet his approach is more about maximizing the team’s potential than making headlines. He wants to extract every bit of performance from the roster while he has the chance.
He understands that coaching jobs in the NFL are not permanent. No matter the situation, there will eventually be a time when he is no longer with the Bears, which makes the present an opportunity to set the highest possible bar for himself and his players.
After leading Chicago to the division title in his debut season, Johnson believes it would be wrong to lower his standards. His focus is on making the most of his time with the team instead of resting on past accomplishments.
Bears coach fully invested in his Chicago role
Johnson has also made his loyalty to Chicago clear, calling the Bears the best job he has ever held. He said he is at peace with the idea that it could be his last coaching position.
His dedication is linked to the expectations he has set for the team. Johnson wants to pour all his energy into the Bears, no matter how his time with the franchise eventually concludes.
For now, his attention is on what the team can do in 2026. The goals are massive: an NFL scoring record, a championship, a historic winning streak, and perhaps even a perfect season.
