2025 got off to a perfect start when the Bears shockingly upset the Packers 24-22 at Lambeau Field on January 5th. Some Bears fans may have wanted the team to lose that final game in order to get a better draft pick, but I definitely was not one of them. If it was anyone but Green Bay, sure, maybe. But in my book, you get a win over the Cheeseheads any way you can get it. So, yes, my heart was racing as PK Cairo Santos lined up for the winning field goal. After watching the ball go through the uprights, my dad and I high-fived each other and said, "Happy New Year!" Credit QB Caleb Williams for learning from his Thanksgiving Day brain fart and getting the Bears in position for the winning kick.

Unfortunately, the Bears suffered a couple of significant losses in early February. Virginia Halas McCaskey passed away on February 6th at the age of 102. Principal owner of the team since 1983, she served in that role with grace and dignity. In a way, it's fitting that the last Bears game she got to see was a win over the rival Packers. On February 8th, former HC Dick Jauron passed away at 74. He was at the helm of the Bears during an unforgettable 2001 season full of OT pick-sixes, answered Hail Marys, and an interception return heard (and felt) around the world (courtesy of Keith Traylor). May McCaskey and Jauron both rest in peace.

Going into the offseason, much of what I heard and read from people in the know suggested that the Bears wanted Ben Johnson, Johnson wanted the Bears, and it was just a matter of time before it became official. Then again, we are talking about the Bears, who tend to screw up these sorts of decisions. Later, Tom Brady tried to throw a monkey wrench into things, attempting to lure Johnson to the Raiders. Just as I was starting to convince myself that Baltimore OC Todd Monken might not be a bad alternative (local guy, very experienced, energetic, helped Lamar Jackson go from elite to alien status, etc.), I saw that the Bears got their man in Johnson.

I said here months ago that, of all the projected head coaching candidates, Johnson would give Williams the best chance to win the eight Super Bowls he wants. Now, if Williams wins eight Super Bowls, I'll eat my hat, but that's beside the point. As head coach and play caller, there's no need to worry about Johnson leaving unless things go sideways and he gets fired. His play calling is among the NFL's best in terms of creativity and play sequencing. Caleb has talked about the fire inside him, one that makes him a competitor to the nth degree. Before the Lions faced the Bears at Soldier Field in December, Johnson said that there was a fire inside him to become a head coach. So, this looks like a match made in football heaven.

Now, it's time to improve the roster. Just as Johnson said that his offense would be calibrated around Williams, GM Ryan Poles now must build the roster to fit his new head coach's vision. It goes without saying that improving the offensive line should be priority one. And two. And three. Many Bears fans will be checking their phones frequently until March 4th to see if Chiefs G Trey Smith will be tagged or not. If not, he's likely to be at/near the top of Poles' shopping list when "legal tampering" starts on my birthday, March 10th. With the Bears needing to revamp the interior of their O-line, other top free agent guards like Will Fries, Mekhi Becton, and Kevin Zeitler are also possibilities. Re-signing G Teven Jenkins is also in play, though I wouldn't recommend it based on his injury history. At center, Atlanta's Drew Dalman is the guy many Bears fans have their sights set on, but Indy's Ryan Kelly is in the conversation as well.

On the other side of the ball, new D-coordinator Dennis Allen will want some new toys, too. Could a return to Chicago be in the cards for DE Khalil Mack? Can you imagine if the Bears signed DE Josh Sweat and teamed him up with Montez Sweat? They'd have the Sweatiest D-line in the league! DT Milton Williams would look nice in a Bears uniform after wreaking havoc in the Super Bowl, but would he have the same impact without his talented D-linemates? These questions will be answered in due time, but the next phase of the NFL offseason starts with the Scouting Combine this week.

End.