Making the case for Chicago Bears to win the NFC North in 2025
NFL.com's Kevin Patra recently made the case for the Bears winning the NFC North this season. Obviously, the addition of Johnson is a big one. But they also shored up the interior offensive line, added playmakers on defense and more weapons for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Still, having a competent head coach -- and one of the NFL's brightest offensive minds -- is a massive selling point.
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"Last season, the Bears disintegrated despite boasting a talented roster, writes Patra. "Now, they've imported a first-time head coach who comes from a program proven to extract every ounce of talent from its players. Ben Johnson's arrival is the No. 1 reason the Bears could flip the script from worst to first in the NFC North. As a play-caller in Detroit, Johnson had defenses petrified. His pulse on managing a game is Sean Payton-esque. As far as head-coaching upgrades go, moving from Matt Eberflus to Johnson is about as big a boost as a team can take in one offseason."
If the Bears are going to win the NFC North, which was one of the best divisions in the league last season, they're going to need solid play from their young quarterback. Given he impressed during a rough rookie season that included two head coaches and three offensive coordinators, as well as being sacked a league-high 68 times, it's safe to say he's in a much better place in Year 2.
"The Caleb question is another significant piece of the puzzle. While I anticipate Johnson's arrival being the best antidote for what ills the young passer, it's possible he never becomes that franchise-changer. What if the Chicago curse is real? It might take more than nine months under Johnson to get things in gear. If Williams struggles and the offense sinks, the Bears won't have a shot to climb the NFC North ladder."
Last season, the Bears went 1-5 in the division, although there were in a position to win a few of those losses. The Detroit Lions remain atop the division with the Minnesota Vikings facing a change at quarterback and the Green Bay Packers remaining a threat. It's certainly a doable feat for Chicago, but they also have the second-most difficult strength of schedule in the NFL this season. But winning those division games will prove to be crucial.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Making the case for Chicago Bears to win the NFC North in 2025
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