Johnson says this is the most talented and confident Bears roster he has played with in seven NFL seasons. More importantly, he believes that, for the first time during his time in Chicago, a Super Bowl feels like a tangible goal rather than a hollow preseason talking point.
Bluntly speaking, we’ve never had the Super Bowl just being talked about as a tangible item for us here, Johnson told the Chicago media.
That declaration stands out given Johnson’s long tenure with the franchise. He arrived as a second-round pick in 2020 and has played under three head coaches and five defensive coordinators. He endured the 2022 season—one of the franchise’s worst in memory—requested a trade, walked it back, and then signed a contract extension. The defender also publicly challenged former coach Matt Eberflus before the organization moved in a different direction.
Johnson believes the Bears’ promise of a turnaround is more credible this time. The team enters the season opener at Carolina after winning the NFC North, earning their first playoff victory in 15 years, and pushing the Rams to overtime in the divisional round. The offense around quarterback Caleb Williams is youthful and dynamic, and the organization has signaled a long-term goal of sustained contention rather than a single-year surprise.
For Johnson, the foundation starts with the roster. The Bears have an ascending quarterback, a talented group of skill players, and a defense that, while still with questions, should benefit from having its top cornerback on the field. Chicago also has a coach whose ambitious goals gained credibility after last season’s breakthrough.
But Johnson’s bold Super Bowl declaration comes with substantial pressure. The Bears will need their star cornerback to perform at a high level consistently.
Johnson missed most of last season after core-muscle surgery and was not the same player upon returning late in the year. Chicago’s defense leaned heavily on takeaways to offset other deficiencies, and the unit enters 2026 with questions at several important positions.
Health and performance in the secondary are especially critical. Nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon will miss at least the first four games while on the physically unable-to-perform list. Safety Coby Bryant suffered a major knee injury in training camp and could be out until December, if not longer. Rookie Dillon Thieneman and veteran Xavier Woods will shoulder major responsibilities, while Tyrique Stevenson remains a variable in the secondary.
That makes Johnson’s health and performance more important than ever. When healthy, he has been one of the NFL’s top outside cornerbacks. He earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2023 and 2024 because he could erase an opponent’s top receiver, play physical press coverage, and provide Chicago with flexibility in its overall coverage. The Bears need that version of him back immediately.
There are encouraging signs. Coach Ben Johnson said he felt a “fire lit under” the cornerback over the final weeks of camp. The coach praised Johnson’s intelligence and preparation but also sensed a new edge in the way he approached practice.
That edge matters beyond individual coverage duties. Late in camp, Johnson stopped a practice, gathered the defense, and challenged the group’s effort. It underscored that he is not only Chicago’s top cornerback but also one of the defense’s most important voices. The Bears need him to be both.
Sunday’s opener at Carolina presents an immediate test. Talented Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who won Offensive Rookie of the Year last season, has the size and ability to challenge Johnson in multiple ways. Chicago will likely rely on its veteran corner to handle difficult assignments while helping stabilize communication around a secondary that has been reshaped by injuries.
It’s a tall order for Week 1, but it fits the job description for a player who aims to make the Super Bowl a realistic expectation.
Johnson’s remarks should energize Bears fans, but they aren’t a guarantee. Chicago must still demonstrate the ability to rush the passer consistently, improve a defense that struggled outside of its takeaway production, and stay healthy through a demanding schedule.
The Super Bowl isn’t tangible because the Bears talked about it; it becomes tangible when the team combines high-end talent with consistent performance.
Johnson waited seven years to express this belief openly. Now, he faces the challenge of helping turn that belief into reality.
