As the Chicago Bears prepare for a pivotal season, the organization’s decision to overhaul its coaching staff is already paying dividends. Led by new head coach Ben Johnson, the group has received a wave of praise from players, media members, and team personnel alike. From a fresh sense of accountability on the field to the transparency at the podium, early impressions suggest that this coaching transition is a significant step forward.
Bears’ Play-By-Play Announcer Jeff Joniak on Ben Johnson: “I Feel It Was a Grand Slam”
The Bears’ play-by-play announcer, Jeff Joniak, did not mince words in his assessment of Johnson and his team of coaches. “I feel it was a grand slam,” Joniak said, describing his first impressions of Johnson. “He was absolutely perfect. At the podium he was great. He tells you things, it’s not a bunch of coach speak. He answers the question… very transparent.”
It’s been a breath of fresh air from Matt Eberflus’ “HITS” principles and the lack of accountability he had at the podium.
“You could see the energy on the field,” Joniak added. “I kept saying to everybody, ‘Hey, listen to practice.’ It sounds different. It sounds different because there’s a lot of correction. There’s a lot of coaching. And believe me, it’s always that way, but this just happened to sound a little bit different.”
Those differences are already shaping the atmosphere around Halas Hall. Corrections are more specific, and there’s an unmistakable tone of urgency and commitment. For a franchise that has been searching for sustained success, this renewed focus could be the cultural shift the Bears need.
Tyson Bagent’s Comments on the Bears’ New Coaching Staff
GettyTyson Bagent #17 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass during OTA offseason workouts.
It’s one thing for media members like Joniak to praise the Bears’ new coaching staff, but it’s another when players acknowledge it. Quarterback Tyson Bagent offered some revealing insight into what sets this staff apart.
“This staff is the first staff that I can see myself coaching the way that they’re coaching,” Bagent said. “I think that every staff has been pretty exceptional since I’ve been here, but I would say that there were some things where maybe I wasn’t seeing eye-to-eye with how they were operating or going about things.”
This new staff is precise, engaged, and unafraid to challenge players directly. “This staff is really like, looking at you in the face like ‘Hey be ready to roll,’” Bagent explained. “We’re in the National Football League so that’s really, in my opinion, how it should be ran. I’m loving it so far.”
The combination of clarity and intensity could be the foundation for growth, especially for a young roster that still has a lot to prove. Whether it’s the offense installing Johnson’s concepts or the defense adjusting to a new scheme, players have embraced the accountability and detailed approach.
With the season approaching, the early reviews suggest the Bears have a coaching staff capable of guiding them through adversity and demanding more from everyone in the building. The transparency, urgency, and professionalism that Joniak and Bagent described could set a new standard for the franchise.
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