Logo

Bears' Ben Johnson just proved why he was the most sought-after head coach in the NFL

The Chicago Bears' Week 3 win over the Dallas Cowboys was the first tangible evidence for why Ben Johnson was the most sought-after head coaching candidate in recent memory.

His offensive wizardry ran rings around former coach Matt Eberflus defense in Dallas, and his slow and steady development of quarterback Caleb Williams has been as good as advertised.

But we got a glimpse into what makes Johnson such a good coach during his latest press conference on Friday.

And it's all about communication.

"That’s coaching in general," Johnson said. "We’re not called to be here to be friends or cheerleaders. We’re here to push, to challenge, to support. There are a number of things the best coaches in my life have really imprinted on me. And whether I was a player or a fellow coach, I really think that’s important.

"It’s not what the player wants to hear all the time. Sometimes it’s what he needs to hear for us as a team to succeed and for him as an individual to get a little bit better. And you can’t shy away from that."

It's especially true for Johnson's relationship with Caleb Williams, who entered the NFL with the kind of hype that only follows generational prospects. And whenever a player is that hyped, they aren't used to getting tough love.

"I try the best I can to emulate the good ones I’ve been around," Johnson continued. "And I think that’s probably where I’ve seen some downfalls of certain coaches -- they have been afraid of conflict and telling a player how he sees it. I learned over the last few years that when there’s silence, there’s usually negativity [that] fills that void and breeds some resentment either way in a relationship. So if you feel a certain type of way – doesn’t matter if you’re the player or the coach – you need to bring that out and make sure we’re all on the same page."

Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams were on the same page in Week 3, to the tune of 298 passing yards, four touchdowns, and the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award for the Bears' QB1.

They'll need more of that in Week 4 to stack their first winning streak of 2025.

"We all have the same goal at the end of the day. But I’ve seen some relationships go sideways just because the communication aspect wasn’t right."

Eagles Star CB Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean is mourning a profound personal loss following the team’s Week 5 game , as his cousin Justin Fuller a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville.   Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.”   DeJean —whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller’s mother, grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose. Family members say that influence helped shape his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Dejean that strength isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how he lives and plays today.” In the Eagles’ defensive system, DeJean has steadily earned complete trust thanks to his versatility — working outside at corner, in the slot (nickel), and on coverage units — and standing out for top-end speed, precise tackling angles, and the ability to read quarterbacks. Coaches describe him as “calm, wise beyond his years, and disciplined at the catch point,” consistently maintaining leverage and finishing clean in tight spaces. Through the first five games of 2025, DeJean has played every defensive snap and totaled 36 tackles (26 solo) with five passes defensed, reinforcing his value on the perimeter and inside.  The Philadelphia Eagles have provided time and private support for DeJean and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. An FAA investigation into the accident is underway, while tributes to “Spidey” continue to pour in across social media from military colleagues, fellow skydivers, and fans nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. DeJean kept his public remarks brief before being embraced by teammates:“He taught me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”