As the Chicago Bears prepare for a massive home showdown against the Green Bay Packers, Ben Johnson made it clear the message has already been delivered (and understood).
“There doesn’t need to be much of a message here this week,” Johnson said. “They know what’s at stake.”
For Bears fans, that statement hits differently than it would have in years past. December games have too often been about evaluation and draft position, not expectation.
Chicago enters the rematch with Green Bay with playoff seeding, the NFC North lead, and a clear path to clinching a postseason spot at stake. A win Saturday night paired with a Steelers victory (yes Bears fans, we’re rooting for Aaron Rodgers) over the Lions would lock the Bears into the playoffs before Christmas.
A Rematch That’s Been Sitting With Them
GettyBears DT Gervon Dexter Sr. and DE Montez Sweat
Just two weeks ago at Lambeau Field, the Chicago Bears rallied from a 14-3 halftime deficit and put themselves in position to tie (or even win) before a late end zone interception sealed a 28-21 loss. That loss lingered.
Players admitted afterward they were already thinking about the rematch, even as they pushed through a necessary Week 15 win over Cleveland. That awareness will be tested immediately.
The Bears will be without Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III on Saturday, thinning the wide receiver room at the worst possible moment. But Ben Johnson has spent the entire season preparing for this exact scenario.
“If we feel like one guy’s going to go down, another guy’s going to step up,” Johnson said. “We can put him in a spot where he can have success.”
Johnson expressed confidence in younger receivers like Jahdae Walker, stressing they’ve been coached, evaluated, and kept fully engaged throughout the year.
“That’s the mode of being a coach in the NFL these days,” he said. “The expectation is still: find a way to win.”
The Stakes Are Real… and So Is the Opportunity
GettyBears QB Caleb Williams and WR DJ Moore
At the center of the moment is Chicago Bears second year quarterback Caleb Williams, whose 21 touchdown passes this season already surpassed his rookie total.
With Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III sidelined, Caleb Williams won’t have the luxury of easing into this one. “We don’t have a warm-up series,” Johnson said. “We’ve got to start hot.”
Meanwhile, the Packers arrive banged up. Star pass rusher Micah Parsons is already lost for the season, and Green Bay’s injury report includes multiple key contributors, including right tackle Zach Tom and wide receiver Christian Watson, both uncertain heading into Saturday.
Johnson cautioned against focusing on absences. “This is a very good defense regardless of who’s on the field,” he said.
Ben Johnson didn’t need to manufacture urgency because the math already has. Before kickoff, the Bears hold a 79% chance of reaching the postseason. A win Saturday night would push that number to 95%.
The Bears don’t need to be told what Saturday night means. They’re playing meaningful December football. At home. Against Green Bay. With everything in front of them.
Ben Johnson Just Said What Everyone Was Thinking About the Bears-Packers Rematch