Good. Better. Best. The Epic Story of the Chicago Bears’ Renaissance in Year One of the Ben Johnson

GOOD. BETTER. BEST.

The Epic Story of the Chicago Bears’ Renaissance in Year One of the Ben Johnson Era

THE BEN JOHNSON ERA BEGINS

ON THE COVER: Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams looks to pass during the first quarter against the New York Giants on Nov. 9, 2025, at Soldier Field in Chicago.

EILEEN T. MESLAR / CHICAGO TRIBUNE

INSET: Coach Ben Johnson reports on the Bears at training camp on July 22, 2025, at Halas Hall.

RIGHT: Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore is mobbed by his teammates after making the game-winning touchdown catch in overtime against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 20, 2025.

Photographers

Chicago Tribune: Brian Cassella, Nuccio DiNuzzo, John J. Kim, Bob Langer, Eileen T. Meslar, Jim Prisching, Audrey Richardson, Armando L. Sanchez, Chris Sweda, Ed Wagner Jr., Chris Walker, Stacey Wescott

Foreword

SEAN HAMMOND

FEB. 9, 2026

Every time an NFL team hires a new coach, it’s a leap of faith. Every coach takes the job with a certain level of enthusiasm and bravado. They all declare they want to win and win now. Not all of them can do it.

Ben Johnson, with his “good, better, best” victory chant, took Chicago by storm in 2025. He inherited a five-win team that had lost 10 consecutive games in 2024. A year later, the Bears were 11-6 and NFC North champions for the first time since 2018.

Along the way, the Bears reignited the imagination of football fans across Chicago and beyond. It wasn’t just the wins. It was the way the Bears won. Six fourth-quarter comebacks in the regular season. A 10-point comeback against the hated Green Bay Packers in December, followed by an 18-point comeback against those same Packers in the playoffs.

The offense, under Johnson, became one of the best in the NFL. Quarterback Caleb Williams threw for a franchiserecord 3,942 yards. The defense led the league in takeaways. After an 0-2 start, the Bears rebounded to win nine of their next 10 games.

Through it all, Johnson remained laser-focused. Rarely did TV cameras catch him showing any emotion during a game. That’s part of what made those postgame victory celebrations so meaningful.

After a win, Johnson could release all of his pent-up emotion. He would hand out game balls to the heroes of the day, then circle up his team for one final chant, adapted from his high school days in North Carolina. Johnson would bellow each line, with the players repeating it back to him.

Good, better, best!

Never let it rest!

Till your good gets better!

And your better gets best!

Bears on three — one, two, three, Bears!

The chants became a phenomenon in Chicago. Bears fans eagerly refreshed their social media feeds after every win, waiting for the team to drop the latest victory speech.

After a win over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in November, Johnson surprised everybody by ripping off his shirt during his victory speech, earning Chicagoans free hot dogs thanks to a restaurant’s social media challenge.

The Bears, a long-dormant franchise that never seemed to get things right, were becoming the plucky underdog everyone was rooting for. “Good, better, best” T-shirts flew off the racks at sports

apparel stores. With every comeback, the team lived up to its new “Cardiac Bears” moniker.

Under Johnson, the Bears won their first playoff game in 15 years. Their divisional-round game against the Los Angeles Rams became the most-viewed prime-time television event in America since the previous Super Bowl about 11 months earlier. The Bears lost that game to the Rams, but not before one final dramatic comeback sent it into overtime.

The 2025 season ended there, but Bears fans won’t forget it anytime soon. The team didn’t win the Super Bowl, but it did bring joy back to Soldier Field.

The future looks bright, and Johnson is aiming higher. If the Bears do go on to win a Super Bowl under him in the coming years, fans will look back at 2025 as the spark — the season that set everything into motion.

OPPOSITE: New Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson does interviews after being introduced on Jan. 22, 2025, at Halas Hall. BRIAN CASSELLA / CHICAGO TRIBUNE

CHAPTER 1

THE PAST

Chicago Bears’ franchise playoff appearances: A full history

KORI RUMORE

JAN. 10, 2026

The Chicago Bears have had some of their most memorable moments in postseason games.

Here’s a look back at Bears’ playoff games — including two trips to the Super Bowl — since 1932.

1932

Playoff (Dec. 18, 1932)

Champions — since the NFL was established in 1920 — were determined based on their standings at the end of the regular season. In 1932, however, there was a tie. For the first time, a one-game playoff was needed — between the Bears and the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans.

The Chicago Bears moved their NFL title game to Chicago Stadium because of zero-degree weather and 5 inches of ice at Wrigley Field.

The Bears beat the Spartans before 11,000 fans on a field reduced to 80 yards in length and 145 feet in width and scored the game’s only touchdown on

a fourth-down play-action 2-yard pass from Bronko Nagurski to Red Grange.

A circus had just played the stadium. So the straw made a softer field than frozen turf. However, the other elements left behind by horses and elephants made the place “a little too aromatic,” according to one media critic.

Virginia Halas McCaskey didn’t hesitate when asked in 2019 about her lasting memory of the Bears’ 9-0 victory.

“Just the odor,” she said with a laugh. “It was almost overwhelming.”

Result: Bears 9, Spartans 0

1933

Championship (Dec. 17, 1933)

The Bears won the inaugural NFL championship 23-21 over the New York Giants at Wrigley Field.

The Bears came from behind in the final three minutes, taking over at the Giants’ 46-yard line. After two plays gained 13 yards, Bronko Nagurski threw

a jump pass to Bill Hewitt, who gained 14 yards and lateraled to Bill Karr, who went the remaining 19 for the winning score.

“Six times the lead changed, and on each occasion that New York or Chicago went to the fore the tension increased,” the Tribune’s Wilfrid Smith wrote.

“The Bears, whose fourth period rallies now have become famous, completed a forward-lateral pass with only three minutes of the game remaining and tacked the final victory statistics securely to the green scoreboard in center field.”

Result: Bears 23, Giants 21

1934

Championship (Dec. 9, 1934)

Students of early NFL history know that the New York Giants upset the Chicago Bears 30-13 at the Polo Grounds for the 1934 title because the Giants donned sneakers to help their footing on the icy field. But how many know that Abe Cohen was a hero in the so-called Sneakers Game?

Cohen was a tailor, a fan, and a sometimes-clubhouse attendant. Giants trainer Gus Mauch served a similar role at Manhattan College. When coach Steve Owen wondered where he could find enough gym shoes on a Sunday to outfit his club, Cohen was dispatched in a cab to Manhattan College. There, by hook or by crook, he entered the gym, opened lockers and returned with a cab full of rubber-soled shoes.

The Giants rallied from an early 10-3 deficit to score four unanswered touchdowns in the last 10 minutes and win.

OPPOSITE: Coach Mike Ditka, right, and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan are carried off the field after the Chicago Bears beat the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX on Jan. 26, 1986, in New Orleans. ED WAGNER / CHICAGO TRIBUNE

ABOVE: On Dec. 17, 1933, at Wrigley Field, the Chicago Bears claimed the first NFL Championship Game in league history, defeating the New York Giants 23-21 behind coach George Halas. CHICAGO TRIBUNE

FROM GEORGE HALAS TO BEN JOHNSON

COACHING TIMELINE

KORI RUMORE

JAN. 23, 2025

Here’s a look back at when each of the team’s previous 18 coaches — and Ben Johnson, its 19th — were introduced.

GEORGE HALAS (1920-29, 1933-42, 1946-55, 1958-67) 318-148-31 (.682)

Introduced as Bears coach: Dec. 27, 1929

What team management said: “We believe our hope for development of a winning team would be increased if we could turn the squad over to a professional coach. Neither Ed (Sternaman) nor I had time to coach the Bears. Last season, the worst since we entered professional football with the old Staleys, the coaching responsibility was divided between us and Ralph Scott.”

— George Halas

What the Tribune wrote: “Ralph Jones, coach of the Lake Forest academy football team the last 10 years, yesterday signed to coach the Chicago Bears next fall … .

Introduced as Bears coach: Feb 2, 1956

What team management said: “I have great confidence in Driscoll’s ability to keep the Bears in the title running. I know of no one who has made a greater contribution to football.” — George Halas

What the Tribune wrote: “Paddy has lived football tho he also excelled in other sports. No man has combined more completely individual talent and knowledge of gridiron tactics. Moreover, Driscoll has the respect and admiration of all those with whom he played and coached.

Served as coach in four tenures: George “Papa Bear” Halas founded the Decatur Staleys in 1920, moved the team to Chicago in 1921 and then, as player-owner-coach, changed the name to the Bears, where he collected 324 wins and six NFL titles.

What the Tribune wrote: “George Halas, one of the best all around athletes ever developed at the University of Illinois and last season given a trial with the New York Yankees, has signed to play with the Staley team of the Industrial league.” — Chicago Tribune, March 23, 1920

“During ten seasons at Lake Forest, his teams won 82 and lost 8 contests, averaging 30 points to four by opponents. Unable to get hard enough competition in the prep ranks, Jones’ teams went out of their class, meeting freshman elevens of Dartmouth, Yale, Princeton, Notre Dame, Marquette, Loyola and others, and won most of the games.” — Chicago Tribune, Dec. 28, 1929

Introduced as Bears coaches: Oct. 30, 1942

What team management said: “I definitely will not have a hand in the running of the Bears. I am completely out until the war’s over. I’m sure that Hunk, Luke, and Paddy will do a good job.” — George Halas

What the Tribune wrote: “George Halas yesterday turned over the responsibilities, worries, and the pleasure that goes with having a championship eleven to his three assistants, all steeped in professional football experience.

“To Luke Johnsos and Heartly (Hunk) Anderson, he willed the running of the team on the field, designating the pair as co-coaches. To Paddy Driscoll, another long time associate, he assigned many of the off the field duties, in addition to his regular post as back field coach.” — Edward Prell, Oct. 30, 1942

“He contributed to the Bears’ successes as a player and added tremendously to their prestige by his accurate judgment as a coach.

“Driscoll will carry on the Bears tradition. His selection as head coach was enthusiastically approved yesterday by the men with whom he worked under Halas’ direction. The staff will be intact when the Bears start their 1956 campaign hopeful of winning a championship denied by the margin of half a game last season.” — Wilfrid Smith, Feb. 3, 1956

Introduced as Bears coach: May 28, 1968

What team management said: “Gentlemen, it is a pleasure to present the new head coach of the Bears, Mr. Jim Dooley. Good luck, kid.” — George Halas

What the Tribune wrote: “It was Dooley who suggested that the Bears ‘update’ their pass defense along the lines of the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants.

“Under Dooley’s design, the Bears came up with their now-famous ‘buzz’ and ‘rub’ defense in which the movements of the linebackers were coordinated with those of the defensive backs.

“Dooley, who coached the Bears receivers from 1962 thru 1964, was switched over to the defense in 1966 when Allen left. His best-known of many innovations was the so-called Dooley Shift in which a back is substituted for a linebacker on long-yardage downs.” — Cooper Rollow, May 29, 1968

Introduced as Bears coach: Jan. 27, 1972

What team management said: Gibron was George Halas’s first choice from a list of 30 candidates. “There is no change in the setup. But Abe will be an organizer. He’ll be a leader. There’s no doubt about that.”

— George Halas

What the coach said: “I think we can make a run for the championship this year with the personnel we have. When I speak of changes, I am talking about simplifying the system, of getting down to football basics.

“I’m not going to change my image. I may say ‘sir’ once in awhile when I cuss out an official, but I can’t change my personality. And if I happen to see one of the players during the off-season and want to buy him a beer, I’m going to buy him one. These are people we have out there playing for us, not a bunch of robots.” — Abe Gibron

What the Tribune wrote: “After seven years of waiting in the wings, a portly gentleman stepped into the spotlight in center stage yesterday and the Abe Gibron Show was on the way.

“As widely predicted, Gibron, the 46-yearold jowled jester of Jim Dooley’s staff, was named to succeed Dooley as head coach of the Chicago Bears. Dooley was fired late last month after the 1971 Bears lost their last five games, and his staff was dismissed last week.

“The first thing Gibron did after being introduced to a packed press conference was to proclaim himself ‘a Halas man and a Bear man, but not a yes man. I am the boss. This is going to be the Abe Gibron show.’

“And the first thing owner George Halas did after Gibron finished speaking was to make it clear that Gibron’s status with the organization is no different than that of Dooley except that ‘Abe may be more forceful than Jim was.’” — Cooper Rollow, Jan. 28, 1972

Introduced as Bears coach: Jan. 3, 1975

What team management said: “Now I hope that he doesn’t beat my record, but if he just ties it, that’s all right.” — George Halas

What the coach said: “Good ball players move the ball down field. Formations and shifts don’t move the ball an inch.”

— Jack Pardee

What the Tribune wrote: “With sweat dripping from his face under the heat of the camera lights, Jack Pardee adroitly fielded questions for a half hour Friday morning and revealed almost nothing.”

— Don Pierson, Jan. 4, 1975

Introduced as Bears coach: Feb. 17, 1978

What team management said: “I’m not saying you have to be an assistant in the National Football League to be a successful head coach. But who in the hell ever heard of Chuck Knox when he was an assistant at Detroit? Who ever heard of George Allen when he was with the Bears, except the people in Chicago?” — Jim Finks

What the coach said: “I have never applied for a coaching job in my life. I guess any assistant has aspirations, but I didn’t sit around and wait for the phone to ring.”

— Neill Armstrong

Introduced as Bears coach: Jan. 20, 1982

What team management said: “I like his ability to handle himself and handle other people. And I know he’ll do a good job getting people to play according to his desires.” — George Halas

What the coach said: “I believe that everyone has a destiny in life, and mine is with the Chicago Bears. I’m going to give Chicago a winning football team, an interesting football team and a football team that everybody is going to be proud of.” — Mike Ditka

What the Tribune wrote: “The 42-year-old head coach was nothing if not a master portrait of confidence. His litany echoed that confidence and can be summed up in one pronouncement: ‘We’re going to give ’em a winning football team.’

“All of Ditka’s immediate predecessors had offered a similar chant at their anointings, but none delivered it with much conviction. Ditka said it in a manner that made believers of us all. He spoke as a shepherd firmly but gently defying anyone to doubt that he is the ideal man for a challenging appointment.”

— David Condon, Jan. 21, 1982

Introduced as Bears coach: Jan. 19, 1993

What team management said: “Dave struck me as a coach who would be tough-minded and establish a good rapport with the players and who would play the style of defense that the fans have come to appreciate in Chicago Bear defenses. They would be tough and aggressive, and players would swarm to the ball.” — Michael McCaskey

What the Tribune wrote: “Displaying a button with the motto, ‘Whatever it takes,’ Neill Armstrong holds his first press conference as Chicago’s head coach Friday and predicts the Bears will ‘absolutely’ wrest the NFC title from his old team, the Minnesota Vikings. Armstrong, 51, was the defensive coordinator there the last seven seasons. His departure is another case of key Viking personnel rejoining Jim Finks, the general manager who left Minnesota to take over the Bears in 1974.”

— Chicago Tribune, Feb. 18, 1978

What the coach said: “I am sure some of the fans will wonder if I am tough enough to be in Chicago. But I can reflect back and refresh your memory that I was one of the guys sitting in the meeting room when the Cowboys went 1-15 (in 1989). I was one of the guys watching the film. I got through that without Maalox. Believe me, I am tough enough and I am looking forward to the challenge.” — Dave Wannstedt

What the Tribune wrote: “Finally, after all these years, Michael McCaskey got to do something he wanted to do with his Bears. He was smiling so hard you would have thought he’d gotten a new lease on Soldier Field, where he introduced Dave Wannstedt as his coach.

“If you don’t think Wannstedt will have just about all the power he wants, you must think Mike Ditka really is a consultant.” — Don Pierson, Jan. 20, 1993

CHAPTER 2

THE HIRE

Chicago Bears to hire Ben Johnson: Deal for new head coach being finalized

BRAD BIGGS

JAN. 21, 2025

Chicago Bears President/CEO Kevin Warren boldly proclaimed seven weeks ago the organization would have the most attractive situation of any NFL team searching for a new head coach — and it appears that proved true.

The Bears are finalizing a deal, sources told the Tribune on Monday, to hire Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who was hotly pursued by the Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars. Johnson is expected to arrive at Halas Hall on Tuesday morning, at which point he will sign his contract.

The move stunned people across the league as there was a growing belief Johnson was headed to Las Vegas, where he could have had input on the hiring of a general manager and worked with Raiders minority owner Tom Brady. The Jaguars loomed as a legitimate option as well.

The Raiders, however, have been even more dysfunctional than the Bears in the last couple of decades, and their roster

is in significantly worse shape. Johnson’s decision signals he is comfortable working with Bears GM Ryan Poles, who is believed to be under contract through the 2026 season, while Caleb Williams gives Johnson a quarterback to build around.

“There’s no question that this guy is talented,” Johnson said last month when asked about Williams before the LionsBears game at Soldier Field. “I remember standing on the sideline last game and you can hear the ball whistle by you.

“He’s got quite a fastball and has some creativity to him, can extend plays and is accurate down the field as well. I haven’t really dove in and can’t tell you much more beyond that, but he’s been impressive from afar.”

The Bears were able to get the deal done without an in-person interview, evidence of how convinced they were that Johnson — the architect of the top-ranked Lions offense — was the right man to turn around a team that hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2010 season

and hasn’t had consecutive winning seasons since 2005-06.

Johnson, 38, was a key part of the renaissance in Detroit as the Lions had the highest-scoring offense in the NFL over the last three seasons with creative designs for the passing and running games.

He became available sooner than anyone imagined after the top-seeded Lions, who had a 15-2 regular season, were upset by the Commanders 45-31 in the divisional round of the playoffs Saturday at Ford Field.

The Bears, who interviewed at least 17 candidates for the job, including former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, pounced to get a deal done. They believed Johnson was so coveted and well-vetted that a formal in-person interview wasn’t needed.

Some criticized the Bears process, which cast a deeper and wider net than any other team in this hiring cycle, wondering how they could remain focused. In

the end, they wound up with the hottest candidate available.

“This will be the most coveted job

“There’s no question that this guy is talented. I remember standing on the sideline last game and you can hear the ball whistle by you. He’s got quite a fastball and has some creativity to him, can extend plays and is accurate down the field as well.”

Ben Johnson on Caleb Williams

OPPOSITE: The Bears introduced Ben Johnson as their new head coach, hiring the former Lions offensive coordinator who led Detroit to a top-ranked offense in 2024. Johnson takes over after the Bears fired Matt Eberflus midseason in November 2024. BRIAN CASSELLA / CHICAGO TRIBUNE

A memorable season opener turned into heartbreak for Chicago as J.J. McCarthy’s Minnesota debut ended with a victory over Caleb Williams and the Bears. The Vikings quarterback engineered a fourth-quarter rally, throwing two touchdown passes and adding a rushing score to secure a 27-24 win on Monday Night Football. Williams and McCarthy met on the field in a gesture of mutual respect.

ARMANDO

L. SANCHEZ / CHICAGO TRIBUNE

CHAPTER 3

THE SEASON

Ben Johnson sees a lot to ‘clean up’ from Week 1 — including his own coaching

PHIL THOMPSON

After reviewing film the 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson didn’t see any glaring holes from his team’s performance, but did see a lot to “clean up.”

“Some good football on tape but too much inconsistent stuff that popped up that we’ll address, we’ll clean up and we’ll keep it moving,” he told reporters on Tuesday. “Effort wasn’t an issue.

“But the execution has to improve, particularly there in the fourth quarter.”

The clean-up list is highlighted by 12 penalties for 127 yards, including four false starts and an illegal shift.

Johnson holds himself accountable

Johnson had to use a timeout to avoid a delay of game penalty before a go-for-it 4th-and-3 in the second quarter.

“I was late getting the call in and that’s my own issue,” he said.

He also admitted that he shouldn’t have thrown the red flag in the third quarter on an apparent fumble by Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson — a challenge Johnson lost when it was ruled that Hockenson’s knee was down by contact.

“I thought I saw knees up and so that’s on me,” Johnson said. “I’ve got to do a

better job listening to the guys up top.”

The lost challenge cost Johnson a timeout he could have used when the Bears needed to rally in the fourth quarter.

“I didn’t think I called a particularly great game. I could’ve adjusted a little bit better to the lack of pressure that (Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores) was giving us.

“And then at the end of the game (with the Bears needing a field goal), I felt like we could kick it out of the back” of the end zone, giving the Vikings the opportunity to return the kick and run precious seconds off the clock.

“We weren’t able to get that done,” Johnson said. “In hindsight, I should’ve kicked it out of bounds.”

The running game underwhelmed

The final box score showed the Vikings edged the Bears in rushing yards, 120-119, but 58 of Chicago’s ground gains came from Caleb Williams.

“In the run game, we were sub-par overall,” Johnson said.

D’Andre Swift carried 17 times for 53 yards, an average of 3.1 yards. Wide receiver DJ Moore toted three times for 8 yards, a 2.7 average.

Johnson noted that the Vikings, ranked second in run defense last season (93.4 yards per game), bolstered their defensive front in the offseason.

However, “We anticipated being on the same page more than what we were.”

“It’s five guys (on the offensive line) all playing as one, and if you include the tight ends, it’s six or seven as a part of it as well,” Johnson said. “I thought Swift ran hard when the ball went in his hands. … for the most part, I was pretty pleased with how he played.”

Williams’ game showed ‘mixed results’

There’s no getting around Williams’ fickle arm in his season debut.

“It was up and down,” Johnson said. “We had mixed results.”

Williams finished 21-of-35 for 210 yards and a touchdown pass, with no interceptions.

“He had a couple throws with guys in his face that he delivered on target that were very tough,” Johnson said. “He came up today. We chatted for a while. He’s very self-reflective on it and very critical of himself. It’s a starting point for us and we’re looking to get better next week.”

Williams’ scramble drills

He not only capped the Bears’ first drive with a scramble for the team’s first 6 points of the season, but he also scored the first rushing touchdown of his NFL career.

In fact, he turned Houdini during several escapes that likely would have been one of his league-high 68 sacks last season.

Williams said after Monday’s game that it was important to him not to give up negative plays to the Vikings’ aggressive defense.

“Being able to take what the defense gives you, be able to get out of things or scramble and go get a first down or touchdown … that’s something I take pride in, something that Ben and I talk about consistently,” Williams said.

Johnson credited Williams for extending plays with his legs and giving juice to a run game that was “drying up.”

“He has the elusiveness in the pocket and then I think he has (an) underestimated ability to really turn on the jets,” Johnson said. 

Chicago Bears’ stunning block sends them to their bye week at 2-2

BRAD BIGGS

LAS VEGAS — Of all the moves

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles made during free agency, the two-year contract for cornerback Josh Blackwell — with a base value of $5 million — was overshadowed by, well, a slew of transactions.

The defining play Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, in which Blackwell shot out of a cannon off the left edge of the defense to block Daniel Carlson’s 54-yard field-goal attempt, summed up why he’s a “glue guy” in the locker room who is more valuable than you imagine, especially for a rebuilding program.

Blackwell’s huge play keyed a 25-24 victory that improved the Bears to 2-2 as they enter their bye week. A lot went wrong during the game, but the Bears made the biggest plays in the final half of the fourth quarter to emerge victorious and stun the Las Vegas Raiders.

1. It was long snapper Scott Daly who first noticed the tell.

Raiders long snapper Jacob

Bobenmoyer, a veteran playing in his 84th game, has a tendency to tilt the football just before snapping it. It’s a split-second movement but the kind of thing, if you read it, that can give you a head start.

Go too soon and risk an offside penalty, which at that point on fourth-and-3 would have given the Raiders a first down and a chance to run more offensive plays to get in range for a shorter try for kicker Daniel Carlson. Don’t get off the snap early and there’s almost no chance an outside rusher can close the distance required.

There have been some big blocked kicks through the NFL’s first four weeks. The Philadelphia Eagles walked off the Los Angeles Rams on a blocked field goal last week. A lot of these big plays have been with defenders coming right down Broadway — straight through the middle of the protection. Not Blackwell.

“Through watching film study, we were able to tell they had a slight tell on the snapper,” Daly said. “And we were able to

get a jump on them. So Josh was able to take that. That was the first thing he told me after — that little heads up before really helped him. Josh made an amazing play. Just jumped it perfectly. He did a great job laying out for it.”

Curiously, the Raiders used defensive tackle Jonah Laulu, a 6-foot-5, 289pound second-year player, to block that edge. The ideal player for that role has good length — that’s the first requirement — but he needs to be athletic.

Laulu’s first responsibility is to punch the inside gap, which was occupied by safety Jaquan Brisker. Then Laulu has to hinge to the outside to make the arc wider for the outside rusher — Blackwell — so he has to cover more ground to reach the block point.

Laulu never got there. He was hit by linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II, bent at the waist, and therefore Blackwell was able to bend the corner like a pass rusher and launch himself toward Carlson’s kick.

“We got close the first two kicks, and I was like, ‘I’m going to time this up a little

bit and I’m going to get it,’” Blackwell said. “(Bobenmoyer) just reset the ball and, like, literally a tilt, and then that’s (when I) jump.”

Las Vegas had a good shot for points even after D’Andre Swift scored on a 2-yard run with 1:34 remaining. The Raiders returned the kickoff to their 42-yard line, putting them close to Carlson’s range.

There was a “here we go again” vibe for the Bears, right?

“I’m listening on the headset, and Coach (Richard) Hightower, who does just such an incredible job with our special teams unit in all those phases, he’s kind of narrating it in real time and he’s like, ‘Yeah, Blackwell is going to get this one for us, he’s going to come through,’” coach Ben Johnson said. “Sure enough, it came to light, just like he thought. I was so proud of him. He’s a guy that not only is a key cog of what we do on special teams but a key contributor as a backup in our DB room. That was huge for him.”

It was the first blocked field goal

OPPOSITE: Bears cornerback Josh Blackwell (39) celebrated after blocking Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson’s 54-yard field goal attempt with 33 seconds remaining, preserving a dramatic 25-24 victory on Sept. 28, 2025, in Las Vegas. ARMANDO L. SANCHEZ / CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Chicago Bears erase 10-point deficit in 4th quarter; stun Green Bay Packers in OT

BY SEAN HAMMOND AND BRAD BIGGS

Caleb Williams lofted a 46-yard touchdown pass to receiver DJ Moore for a walk-off touchdown in overtime, giving the Chicago Bears a 22-16 win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night at Soldier Field.

In stunning fashion, the Bears erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit with a furious comeback.

There were heroes all over the place. Special teams ace Josh Blackwell recovered an onside kick with just less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams then led the Bears on a quick scoring drive to force overtime. With 28 seconds remaining, Williams connected with undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker for the tying touchdown. It was Walker’s first career TD, and the game went to overtime.

On a night when Packers quarterback Jordan Love exited the game with a concussion, the Packers had to lean on backup Malik Willis. Willis fumbled the fourth-and-1 on the opening possession of overtime. The Packers recovered the

ball, but the Bears took over on downs.

The Bears then needed only points — a field goal would’ve been enough for the win. Instead, Williams lofted an epic touchdown to Moore.

The Bears improved to 11-4 and maintained control of the NFC North Division over the 9-5-1 Packers.

LB Tremaine Edmunds activated from IR

Bears weak-side linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was restored to the 53-man roster Saturday afternoon in time for him to play in the high-stakes NFC North battle against the Packers.

Despite missing the previous four games with a groin injury, Edmunds leads the Bears in tackles with 89. He’s second on the team with nine pass deflections and third with four interceptions.

“He was playing tremendous football before the injury,” coach Ben Johnson said of Edmunds. “He’s a huge asset in coverage, just because of how long he is, it’s hard to get the ball around him

when we’re playing zones, and I think he’s really good in our match-and-man where he can match up on tight ends and running backs out of the backfield and do a really good job there.”

Edmunds takes the roster spot that was cleared last week when nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon was placed on IR.

Jordan Love exits the game after helmet-to-helmet collision

With the Packers leading 3-0 midway through the second quarter, Bears defensive end Austin Booker flew into the backfield and sacked quarterback Jordan Love. Booker lowered his helmet and hit Love square in the face mask.

The refs flagged Booker for roughing the passer. But the bigger story was that Love remained down on the field for several minutes. He eventually popped up and ran to the medical tent on the Packers sideline. After several minutes in the tent, Love left the sideline with medical personnel and headed for the locker room.

The Packers later announced that Love

was being evaluated for a concussion and his return is questionable. Backup quarterback Malik Willis entered the game in place of Love.

The penalty was Booker’s second roughing-the-passer call in the half. He had an earlier penalty after driving Love into the ground on a third down in the first quarter.

How the game unfolded

To start the game, the Bears and the Packers traded turnovers on downs. The Bears defense turned the Packers away on the opening possession. Facing a fourthand-1 at the 7-yard line, the Packers left their offense on the field. Love threw a pass toward the corner of the end zone intended for receiver Christian Watson, but the two couldn’t connect.

The Bears then drove down the field fairly easily before they faced a fourthand-1 at the Packers 4. The Bears lined up in a wildcat formation with the quarterback out wide. Tight end Cole Kmet went in motion and settled under center where

OPPOSITE: Bears wide receiver DJ Moore made a 46-yard touchdown catch in overtime to give the Bears a 22-16 victory over the Packers at Soldier Field on Dec. 20, 2025. Quarterback Caleb Williams drove the Bears to overcome a 10-point deficit late in the fourth quarter to seize control of the NFC North. BRIAN CASSELLA / CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Bears wide receiver DJ Moore made a 46-yard touchdown catch in overtime to give the Bears a 22-16 victory over the Packers at Soldier Field. CHRIS

GOOD. BETTER. BEST.

BEN JOHNSON IN THE WINNING LOCKER ROOM

“Hell, yeah! Let me tell you something right now. This is a special group! This doesn’t happen everywhere, gentlemen. Where we are right now, what you guys are doing, it’s no fluke. It’s no fluke. You are mentally tough. You’re

GAME BALLS

GAME BALL 1: K Cairo Santos

3/3 field goals made Long: 51 yards

GAME BALL 2: WR Jahdae Walker

2 receptions, 21 yards

Game tying 4th down touchdown

physically tough. And you fight all 60 minutes. Hell of a job. Hell of a job. Man, we said all week long, we had to be great in the red zone. We had to be great in the red zone. 0 for 5 defense in the red zone.”

GAME BALL 3: DB Josh Blackwell

1 recovered onside kick

3 kick returns for 69 yards

GAME BALL 4: WR DJ Moore

5 receptions, 97 yards

Game winning OT touchdown

POSTGAME MOMENT

“Appreciate the play call. We did what we called. I seen that when we had it at practice. … We had almost the exact same look. Zero, I knew Caleb was gonna give me a chance. Perfect ball at the end of the day.”

— DJ Moore

LEFT: Bears kicker Cairo Santos celebrated kicking the game-winning extra point after the Bears’ game-securing two-point conversion in overtime.

CHRIS

SWEDA / CHICAGO TRIBUNE

CHAPTER 4

THE PLAYOFFS

How the Chicago Bears pulled off another improbable comeback to KO the Packers

SEAN HAMMOND

JAN. 11, 2026

The comeback started at halftime. No, back it up. Hit rewind. This comeback started six months ago. That’s true of the Chicago Bears’ 31-27 win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night in the wild-card round of the playoffs. But the 18-point comeback represented so much more than one victory.

All that talk of a 15-year drought since the last playoff victory? It’s history now. The anguish of the Bears-Packers rivalry, which a little more than a year ago featured 11 straight Packers wins? Saturday didn’t erase all of those losses, but something unquestionably has changed.

These Bears, these comeback kids with their fiery young coach, are rewriting the story.

How does a team become the comeback kings of the NFL, with six fourth-quarter rallies in the regular season? How does a franchise vanquish its archrival in a playoff game after

trailing by 18 at halftime to earn its first postseason victory in 15 years?

It doesn’t start with the halftime speech. It doesn’t start with one big play. There’s no switch to flip.

For this team, it started in training camp when first-year coach Ben Johnson showed his team footage from Super Bowl LI, when the New England Patriots erased a 28-3 second-half deficit against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Bears added two key veterans over the offseason who emerged as team leaders and captains: left guard Joe Thuney and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. Both played in Super Bowl LI — Thuney for the Patriots and Jarrett for the Falcons. Johnson saw an opportunity to gain insight from two players who lived on either side of the biggest Super Bowl comeback of all time.

“It was just great to get perspective from both of those players of how that game went down,” Johnson said. “It’s just a good lesson to be learned, that it’s 28-3

in the middle of the third quarter and still the game’s being played and there’s a lot of time left.”

There was a lot of time left when the Bears went into the locker room Saturday night, down 21-3 at halftime. There also was no panic.

What did Johnson say in that moment?

“That we’re going to have the greatest comeback in Bears history,” tight end Cole Kmet said. “And then we did.”

Added wide receiver Rome Odunze: “I remember him just saying we’ve been here before. This might be one of the best comebacks in Bears history if we go pull this off.”

In Johnson’s own words, he told his team: “This is a great opportunity to turn this thing around into a game we’ll never forget.”

Nobody will forget Saturday night.

The Bears defense made a stop to start the third quarter, forcing the first punt of the game. That was all the spark the Bears needed. There was a glimmer of hope.

The Bears still trailed 21-6 heading into the fourth quarter and 27-16 with the clock ticking under five minutes. They had been here so many times before. They’d won games on last-second field goals and walk-off touchdowns. They’d converted an onside kick and had one converted against them in the waning minutes.

This was nothing new.

“When you’ve done it before, you know it’s possible,” right tackle Darnell Wright said.

Added Kmet: “We don’t want to keep doing it like this, but if this is how we have to do it, it is what it is.”

The defense forced four consecutive punts to start the second half. Little by little, the Bears put points on the board. An 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Caleb Williams to wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus pulled the Bears within three with about four minutes to go.

Jordan Love and the Packers countered, driving into Bears territory before

OPPOSITE: Bears quarterback Caleb Williams talked with teammates before the NFC wild-card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on Jan. 10, 2026. The Bears entered the postseason as the NFC’s No. 2 seed after winning the NFC North with a 11-6 regular-season record. ARMANDO L. SANCHEZ / CHICAGO TRIBUNE

RIGHT: Soldier Field erupted as the Bears special teams unit delivered early in their wild-card playoff victory. Linebacker Jalen ReevesMaybin (16) stopped a Packers kick return during the first quarter, setting the tone for Chicago’s first playoff win since 2021. ARMANDO L.

the defense stopped them. When Packers kicker Brandon McManus missed a 44-yard field-goal try, the Bears took over with 2:51 remaining.

Williams and the offense stepped onto the field knowing this was their chance. He connected with tight end Colston Loveland — who was a workhorse all night with eight catches for 137 yards — for a 12-yard gain. Running back D’Andre Swift picked up 6 yards on a run, then 23 yards on a

pass from Williams on third down.

That set up a first down at the 25-yard line, and the Bears faked a screen pass to rookie wide receiver Luther Burden. It was enough to get the cornerback to bite, leaving DJ Moore wide open over the top. Williams wasn’t missing that pass.

Just as he did three weeks earlier in a come-from-behind win over the Packers on Dec. 20 at Soldier Field, it was Moore who scored the winning touchdown Saturday.

“They all triggered to Luther on the fake screen, and we were gone from there,” Moore said.

With 1:43 still on the clock, the Bears needed one more stop from their defense. Love moved the Packers downfield, converting a fourth-down try with about a minute remaining and working their way into Bears territory.

With seven seconds on the clock, Love bobbled a snap and then bounced around

the pocket seemingly forever before unleashing a last-ditch effort toward the end zone. The ball fell incomplete on the grass, and Soldier Field erupted into pandemonium. Bears players ran in all directions. The crowd shook.

“It was like a movie,” Moore said. “Literally.”

“Pure thrill,” Thuney said.

“The only thing I remember is the crowd going crazy,” linebacker Tremaine

Edmunds said. “I think I took my helmet off and threw it somewhere. It was crazy just knowing that we did it.”

In his postgame victory speech — which have become appointment viewing after Bears wins — Johnson opened with “(Expletive) the Packers, man!” Not in a long time had a Bears coach said something so relatable to fans.

Reflecting after the game, Johnson thought back on when he showed his team

that Patriots comeback in the Super Bowl. His players clearly took that message to heart.

Months later, the Bears are living in their own comeback.

“It’s who those guys are now at this point,” Johnson said. “We’ve got a group of guys that just — they don’t waver.” 

NFC wildcard game

the Chicago Bears, building momentum in this back-and-forth playoff battle against Chicago.