The Chicago Bears aren’t just talking tough anymore; they’re playing like it. For years, fans have gotten their hopes up, only to be let down. This season, however, feels different. With head coach Ben Johnson at the helm, the Bears have battled to a 5-3 record, punctuated by a jaw-dropping 47–42 victory in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals, hinting that this time, the optimism might actually be real.
What Has Changed for These Chicago Bears?
What stood out in Sunday’s win wasn’t just the final score, but how the Bears responded when things got tight. Even after squandering a 14-point lead late in the fourth quarter, rookie tight end Colston Loveland shook off defenders and raced 58 yards for the game-winning touchdown with only 17 seconds left on the clock. This is the kind of clutch finish that slipped through Chicago’s fingers in the past, especially during former coach Matt Eberflus’s tenure. Now, what once felt like inevitable failure is becoming the team’s new signature.
However, Loveland’s big moment, which included six catches for 118 yards and two scores, wasn’t the only highlight. Behind him, late-round newcomer Kyle Monangai bulldozed Cincinnati’s defensive line for 176 rushing yards, fueling Chicago’s most balanced offensive attack of the season. Sports Mockery called the young duo “game-changers that carry themselves like veterans.” This surge from first-year players demonstrates how Johnson is reshaping the offense with a less rigid structure that prioritizes quick thinking and stronger chemistry.
On the other side, Caleb Williams led Chicago’s wild rally, stepping up when the pressure was highest. Though his early-season struggles are still visible at times, his performance in Week 9 showed real spark. During the final series, Williams remained cool and sharp, scrambling for 14 yards before hitting Loveland with the decisive pass. That kind of control down the stretch marks a significant improvement from the team’s earlier chaotic efforts. According to Sports Illustrated on October 23, he “feels the edge of putting it all together,” meaning elite status isn’t out of sight.
This year feels worlds away from the 5–12 mess of the 2024 season. Back then, the team bounced between two head coaches and shuffled through three offensive play-callers. Since Johnson took charge, however, things have shifted dramatically. Suddenly, their scoring attack has risen near the top of the NFC in terms of smooth execution. On the other side of the ball, the defense, led by Tremaine Edmunds and Jaylon Johnson, looks poised to force more than 40 turnovers this season. With young talent mixing in with seasoned veterans, the Bears are pulling off steady wins in a way Chicago hasn’t seen in a decade.
While the Week 9 victory wasn’t perfect, it revealed a calmness the Bears haven’t shown in ages. When pressure mounted, they held firm instead of falling apart, and they closed strong. As Williams grows more confident, Loveland emerges as a reliable target, and Johnson leads by example, this squad is starting to look like the contender supporters were promised.
The Bears still have flaws to address. Even so, Chicago is back in the NFC conversation for the first time since 2018. This season isn’t just about making noise, it’s about showing real, tangible growth.
2 Comments
” On the other side of the ball, the defense, led by Tremaine Edmunds and Jaylon Johnson”. Jaylon has been on IR the whole season thus far.
Tremaine is a Beast though. Bear Down!!!