Bears offseason Bingo card filling up

Bears offseason optimism figures to kick into high gear this week with three days of media access at mini-camp Tuesday through Thursday at Halas Hall.

The Bears get mocked for winning the offseason for the third consecutive year, but Bears fans get a pass this time, because the Bears started the offseason with a move they've never made before — breaking the bank to hire red-hot Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their head coach.

Of all the cliches on this Bingo card, Caleb Williams shedding his deferential rookie persona and becoming a demanding leader who compels his teammates to max out is the one to watch for.

On paper, the pairing of Johnson with 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams alone is fair reason for new-coach optimism — arguably even more than Marc Trestman-Jay Cutler in 2013. You add the supporting cast (including wide receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, tight ends Cole Kmet and No. 10 overall pick Colston Loveland), a fortified offensive line with three-time All-Pro guard Joe Thuney and a defense that — unlike with Trestman in 2013 — isn't likely to fall apart, and there's every reason to believe the Bears will be better in 2025. If this blows up, Bears fans won't be wondering, "What was I thinking?"

Nobody knows for sure if Johnson will be as good as he sounds — so far he's Matt Nagy with a significantly better resume — or if he will be consumed by Halas Hall dysfunction like many who preceded him wearing the script "B" on his hat. But it's no surprise that the Bears' offseason Bingo card has been filling up quickly, and that figures to continue this week and at next week's final OTA practice availability, when players are not only buoyed by everything new at Halas Hall, but the end of the offseason program and six weeks off.

"I can't wait to get to training camp" is not on the offseason Bingo card because nobody ever says that in June — football's a rough sport even in the best of times. But it wouldn't be surprising if anyone uttered those words this time. Because while nobody is making any promises, the opening of Bears training camp can't get here soon enough.