Man, that 2026 season for the Chicago Bears was an absolute stunner, right? Head coach Ben Johnson rolls in, and BAM, they rocket from last place in the NFC North all the way to the No. 1 spot. Seriously, that kind of turnaround, especially for a first-year head coach, is straight-up rare in this league. It was an incredible thrill for their fanbase, no doubt. But now, as they roll into their second year with Johnson, everyone’s wondering if they already peaked. Is that even possible after just one amazing season?
The Johnson Effect: From Last to First, Now What?
You can’t deny the magic Johnson brought to that team. Going from the absolute bottom of the division to the very top in a single year? That’s the kind of story they make movies about, the kind of performance that makes you believe in miracles. It was simply amazing for the franchise and their fans. But here’s the real gut-check: the big question swirling around now is whether Johnson can push quarterback Caleb Williams to that next level and actually keep that momentum going. Can they build on that No. 1 finish, or was that the high point?
The Vibe Check That Nobody Saw Coming
But hold up, because Nick Brinkerhoff over at USA Today dropped a piece on Monday that’s got some folks scratching their heads, and maybe even a little nervous in Chicago. He just slapped the Bears with a No. 20 ranking on his “vibe check” radar for the upcoming season. No. 20! What?! That essentially means he doesn’t think they’re exactly “super vibe-worthy” this year. Brinkerhoff straight-up asks if the Bears have already “peaked” under Johnson, which, come on, is a wild thing to even consider after such a dominant year. He’s out here saying, “The Bears are no longer the hunters.” He thinks opponents now know exactly what they’re up against, and that will leave some wondering if 2025 was their absolute top. And yeah, that’s a seriously worrisome thought for any team’s fans.
He even threw a little shade at the Detroit Lions, saying the same thing was true for them after 2023. Look where they ended up, right? That’s a low blow, for sure. But here’s the kicker, and this is important: the Lions supposedly tanked after Johnson *left*. With the Bears, Johnson is still right there in the fold, calling the shots. So, to think Chicago’s already hit its ceiling with him at the helm? That just sounds pretty crazy to me. The very fact that Johnson is still with them gives their fans a solid, undeniable reason for hope, no question about it.
While everyone else is busy debating whether other teams have peaked, let’s keep our eyes on what truly matters right here at home. Shoutout to our guy, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who just picked up an honor that truly speaks volumes about how he’s rising in this league! That’s the kind of news we *always* love to see coming out of the Emerald City. Stay tuned, Seattle, because our Hawks are always making moves and giving us plenty to cheer about.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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