Ben Johnson has authored a compelling Coach of the Year case in his first season at the helm of the Chicago Bears.
Guiding Chicago to a 10-4 start to the season, with three games remaining and relative control of their own destiny in terms of making the NFL Playoffs, Johnson has orchestrated one of the more impressive turnarounds this season and is guiding one of the most successful seasons in recent Bears franchise history.
Johnson has been instrumental in improving the Bears’ offense and overseeing second-year quarterback, former No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams improve by leaps and bounds, already surpassing his touchdown total from his rookie season and guiding a franchise record five comeback victories in 2025.
Mike Martz has high praise for Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson
Former Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who appeared in two Super Bowls and won one as the architect of the Greatest Show on Turf St. Louis Rams offenses heralded by Hall of Famers Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk, with weapons Isaac Bruce and Torrey Holt making major contributions, believes Johnson has a historically bright future.
“He’s a once-in-a-generation coach,” Martz said, during an appearance on 670 The Score. “I think he’s very unique. They hit a home run with him. I think he’ll be there for a very long time. He’ll be extremely successful.”
Mike Martz on Ben Johnson: "He's a once-in-a-generation coach. I think he's very unique. They hit a home run with him. I think he'll be there for a very long time. He'll be extremely successful." pic.twitter.com/uI56kdZuGX
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) December 18, 2025
If Williams continues to develop, and the Bears continue to lean on Johnson’s run-based scheme with the kind of success Chicago has seen in 2025, Martz may be right that Johnson has the chance to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, and Andy Reid as one of the premier offensive coaches of his generation.
But, for Johnson and the Bears to close out the 2025 campaign with a playoff berth in Johnson’s first season as a head coach, it’s going to take surviving the NFL’s most difficult remaining schedule, beginning Saturday against the Packers, followed up by games against the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions, with all three carrying massive postseason implications.
Johnson believes his team is ready for the tests ahead.
“We’re definitely a better football team than we were that first month of the season, and probably these three opponents we’re playing coming up, they’re all going to say the same thing,” Johnson told reporters. “I know at this point, I know we’re a good football team. I know we’re a good football team, and I’m looking forward to seeing this competition over the next three weeks, as they are. I think our players are excited to be in this spot. They’ve put themselves in a — we’re 10-4 and we’ve got a lot to play for here over the next three weeks. Really in this league you can’t ask for a lot more than that.”
Chicago Bears veteran sounds off on what needs to happen to make the NFL Playoffs
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