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Bears head coach Ben Johnson.

Things are looking up for the Chicago Bears and head coach Ben Johnson as he heads into his second year at the helm, and both had an extra reason to celebrate this week.

The team issued a birthday message to Johnson on social media, as the offensive guru turned 40 years old on Monday, May 11.

“Happy birthday, Coach!” the Bears wrote on their official team X account.

Ben Johnson Stocked Bears’ Skill-Position Groups With Talent in First Year as Head Coach

Chicago hired Johnson at the age of 38 following three years as the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, which he built into a perennial top-five unit.

Johnson turned 39 years old shortly after completing his first NFL draft as a head coach, stocking the team’s group of pass-catchers with budding stars in tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III in the first and second rounds, respectively.

The Bears got off to a rocky start, losing the first two games of the season to NFC North Division opponents. Chicago blew a lead in the fourth quarter in Week 1 to quarterback JJ McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings, then went on the road to play the Lions in Week 2. The Lions smashed the Bears by 31 points, while cornerback Jaylon Johnson re-injured his groin.

However, Chicago turned it around after that, earning a mark of 11-4 down the stretch of the season that included eight fourth-quarter comebacks to set an NFL record and help QB Caleb Williams establish himself after a rough rookie campaign.

The Bears captured their first division title since 2018 and won their first playoff game since 2010 via another big second-half/fourth-quarter comeback over the Green Bay Packers. Chicago fought into overtime against the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round of the playoffs but couldn’t clear that hurdle.

Bears Have Concerns on Offensive, Defensive Lines Heading into Next Season

GettyChicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (left) and left tackle Ozzy Trapilo (right).

There is reason for some trepidation heading into 2026, as the Bears lost two starters on the offensive line. The transformation of that unit in a single offseason was probably Johnson’s greatest accomplishment in Year 1, but the team now must replace retired Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman and left tackle Ozzy Trapilo, who sustained a serious knee injury in January.

The offense finished the season as the No. 6 rated unit in the league, while its rushing attack ranked third overall, which has been Johnson’s calling card in the NFL. How effective the run game can be with the team’s O-line changes will be critical to its success in 2026.

Chicago was also among the least effective defenses in football last season, with the pass rush as a particular problem. Johnson and GM Ryan Poles revamped the secondary by signing safety Coby Bryant and drafting safety Dillon Thieneman and cornerback Malik Muhammad at value in Rounds 1 and 4, respectively. However, the D-line has seen little in the way of upgrades.

There is also a high likelihood that the Bears’ turnover production, which led the NFL in 2025, is going to regress. As such, the defense as a unit will have to be more sound across all three levels simply to maintain, as it is exceedingly rare for a group to lead the league in turnovers two years in a row.

All of that said, Johnson has brought a culture change with him to Chicago and the progress figures to continue into his early 40s, as he attempts to lead the Bears to their first title since head coach Mike Ditka last did so in 1985-86.