The Chicago Bears Just Might’ve Won the Offseason… Again
It’s not every year you see a team string together three back-to-back standout offseasons, but here we are — the Chicago Bears are officially on fire when it comes to rebuilding this franchise from the ground up. With the 2025 offseason in full swing and OTAs underway, the Bears' latest moves have the entire football world buzzing, and for good reason.
Let’s kick things off with a name you’re going to hear a lot in Chicago this year: Ben Johnson. He’s the new sheriff in town — plucked from the offensive juggernaut that was the Detroit Lions, where he served as offensive coordinator. Now, he’s taking over the head coaching gig in Chicago, bringing along a proven track record of creativity, balance, and point-scoring firepower. And yeah, he didn’t come alone — the Bears also brought in Dennis Allen as defensive coordinator, adding even more experience and tactical punch to the staff.
What does this mean for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams? In short: everything.
Williams had a rocky rookie season. The talent was never in question, but the poor offensive line protection left him scrambling for his life. The guy was sacked 68 times — tied for the third-most in a single NFL season. That’s not development; that’s survival. But Poles and Johnson weren’t about to let that happen again.
🚨 The O-Line Overhaul: Mission Protect Caleb
You could call this the “Operation Shield Caleb” campaign, and it’s been a smashing success. Let’s take a look at what GM Ryan Poles pulled off:
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Traded for Joe Thuney — a two-time All-Pro guard from the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Snagged Jonah Jackson — a solid right guard via trade with the Rams.
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Signed center Drew Dalman — arguably the best center on the market, locking him down with a 3-year, $42M deal.
That’s a full interior O-line rebuild right there. And it wasn’t done haphazardly. These guys are plug-and-play starters, seasoned and sturdy, ready to give Williams the time he desperately needs in the pocket.
📈 Draft-Day Masterclass: Poles Plays the “Best Available” Card
Once the trenches were fortified, the Bears had the luxury of drafting for value instead of need. And wow, did they strike gold.
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Colston Loveland (TE) out of Michigan — an explosive athlete who could be Ben Johnson’s next Sam LaPorta-type success story.
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Luther Burden III (WR) — a dynamic wideout who brings energy, agility, and serious big-play potential.
Loveland instantly upgrades the tight end room and will create mismatch nightmares, while Burden adds to a now-loaded wide receiver group that includes DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet. Throw in D’Andre Swift in the backfield, and you’re looking at one of the most versatile, dangerous skill groups in the NFL.
📉 The Caleb Factor: Room to Grow
Sure, Williams didn’t exactly light it up last season — but he was set up to fail. With the protection woes, a shaky coaching situation under former head coach Matt Eberflus, and a team still figuring itself out, even Patrick Mahomes would’ve struggled.
But now? With Johnson calling plays, the new O-line in place, and a deeper arsenal of weapons? All signs point to a big sophomore leap for the USC product. If Williams makes that jump — and there’s no reason to think he won’t — the Bears might finally have their franchise QB.
🛡️ Let’s Not Forget the Defense
While most of the headlines went to the offense (and rightfully so), Chicago didn’t ignore the other side of the ball. Last year, the defense got bullied at times, ranking:
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29th in yards per carry allowed
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31st in net yards per pass attempt allowed
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27th overall
That’s not playoff-caliber defense. So Poles brought in reinforcements.
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Grady Jarrett (DT) — a true run-stuffing force who brings leadership and toughness.
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Dayo Odeyingbo (DE) — adds pass-rush depth and versatility on the edge.
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Shemar Turner — another big body added to fortify the defensive front.
Add that to the fact that they re-signed key defenders like Kyler Gordon (CB) and T.J. Edwards (LB), and it’s clear the Bears are serious about becoming a more complete team in 2025.
📊 Media Grades: A Consensus of Applause
Let’s take a quick look at how the experts have graded Chicago’s 2025 offseason:
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Pro Football Focus: A+ — “An ideal offseason,” noted Trevor Sikkema, who highlighted the coaching additions and offensive line rebuild.
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CBS Sports: A — Garrett Podell emphasized how Johnson’s arrival and the O-line trades were key to unlocking Caleb Williams' potential.
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Bleacher Report: A+ — Kristopher Knox pointed to the “cohesive and sensible” plan that the Bears executed, calling it one of the best offseasons in the league.
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Pro Football Network: A- — Brandon Austin praised the offensive upgrades and labeled the Ben Johnson hire a “home run.”
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Yahoo! Sports: A — Frank Schwab summed it up nicely: “Caleb Williams should be happy.”
🔥 A Franchise Finally Turning the Corner?
Let’s face it — the Bears have had a rough couple of decades. But this isn’t the same old Chicago squad. There’s a modern vibe now. Smart moves. Calculated risks. Young, aggressive front office leadership in Ryan Poles. A coaching staff that actually wants to push the ball and get creative.
Winning offseasons don’t always translate to winning seasons — just ask the 2011 “Dream Team” Eagles — but they’re a heck of a place to start. For the Bears, the plan isn’t just to make noise in the NFC North. It’s to turn that noise into wins, playoff runs, and eventually, contention.
✅ Quick Recap: Why This Offseason Rocks
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New head coach: Ben Johnson, offensive wizard
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O-line reinforcements: Thuney, Jackson, Dalman — all in
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Top-tier weapons: Loveland, Burden, Swift, Moore, Odunze, Kmet
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Defensive upgrades: Jarrett, Odeyingbo, Turner
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Key re-signings: Gordon, Edwards
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Rave reviews from analysts: Straight A’s and A+s across the board
Bottom Line: The Bears aren’t just rebuilding — they’re reloading, with a clear vision and a head of steam. If you’re a Chicago fan, you’ve got every reason to believe 2025 is the year it all starts to click.
And if you’re in the NFC North? You’ve officially been put on notice.
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