Why the coach is doing more heavy lifting than the GM in Chicago’s rebuild
When the Ben Johnson era began in Chicago, hope came with familiar caveats. The Bears hired a young offensive mind to reset a franchise still trying to find its footing under general manager Ryan Poles. But as the season moves forward, it’s clear Johnson is not just operating the plan. He is carrying the franchise while the choices made by Poles sit under a growing spotlight.
Poles deserves credit for securing the No. 1 pick in 2024 and drafting Caleb Williams. He also rebuilt large parts of the roster. But the draft record remains inconsistent, and several roster spots still show obvious gaps. Johnson, meanwhile, has stepped in with a defined identity and an approach that brings direction to a team that needed it.
His impact is immediate. He took over a 5–12 roster, installed an offense built on rhythm and accountability, and lifted players who had stalled under previous leadership. Routes are cleaner. Timing is sharper. The offense looks organized instead of experimental. It’s the type of shift usually seen in year two or three, not month two.
Then there is the quarterback question. While Johnson is driving progress, Poles’ biggest decision continues to trail him. Williams entered as the presumed top choice, yet Drake Maye — picked third in the same draft — is already showing the traits teams usually chase: quicker processing, stronger poise under pressure, and a natural feel for the pro game. Williams still has high-end talent, but his development curve looks steeper. As both quarterbacks settle into the league, it’s fair to wonder whether Poles backed the wrong long-term bet. The early comparison doesn’t decide anything, but it makes the debate harder for Poles to ignore.
Johnson seems to understand the stakes. He is building around Williams with a structure designed to keep the pressure manageable. He is shaping the offense to give Williams simpler reads, easier rhythm throws, and clearer progressions. At the same time, he is elevating the run game and demanding discipline from a defense that had grown uneven.
Those improvements matter because the roster issues beneath them are still real. The pass rush goes quiet for stretches. The secondary is unsettled. The offensive line needs more than a tweak here or there. Poles has hit on some moves, but the misses still show, especially in later rounds where depth should be built.
In effect, Johnson is doing double duty: coaching the team and covering for gaps in roster construction. He is creating enough progress to keep the flaws from becoming the headline. On paper, this looks like a typical GM–coach partnership. In practice, the forward momentum belongs far more to the coach than the front office.
If the Bears stumble, the veneer will crack and the underlying problems will surface fast. A coach can cover for roster issues only so long. Sustained success requires talent to match the system. If that doesn’t happen, Poles will face renewed scrutiny, especially if Maye continues to surge and Williams takes longer to find his ceiling.
Right now, though, the Bears look like a team with purpose because Johnson brought it. He is driving the identity, the execution, and the optimism fans can feel. Poles may have set pieces in place, but Johnson is the one lifting the weight.
For the first time in a while, the Bears look like a team moving forward. And the reason is simple: a head coach who is already carrying the franchise.
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