Bears showing problems need bigger fix than just new head coach

Through their first two games, the Chicago Bears have shown that a new head coach isn't all it takes to solve the franchise's problems.

When Ben Johnson was hired as the Bears head coach in January, many thought it could be the missing piece that would push Chicago back into the playoff picture. The offensive genius that Johnson showed while serving as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions could certainly transform the Chicago offense into a well-oiled machine, right?

While there may be signs of that, these 2025 Bears look very similar right now to their 2024 counterparts ... and other Chicago teams that fell short of playing meaningful January football.

Chicago Bears' struggles shouldn't fall only on Ben Johnson

Johnson may well have "a mind toward innovation," as Chicago's release stated the day he was hired, but there's only so much he can do from the sidelines. It's up to the players to execute the game plan, and the Bears seem light-years away from being anything close to the Lions team Johnson left in the offseason.

Case in point was Detroit's 52-21 home win on Sunday. Chicago didn't have the defensive answers to slow down Jared Goff and company, while Caleb Williams and the Chicago offense didn't have enough firepower to keep up with their NFC North rivals. It was a mixture that had the Bears looking to themselves for answers after a beating that dropped them to 0-2 on the young season, with both losses coming to division foes.