Bears’ Early Season Injury Concerns Test Ben Johnson’s Demanding Culture

Caleb Williams is playing with more joy and composure in Year 2 under OC Ben Johnson, giving the Bears optimism about his development.
GM Ryan Poles still believes Chicago can defend the NFC North despite trading Gervon Dexter and a bumpy, injury-filled camp.
The secondary is a concern—Kyler Gordon hasn’t practiced and Coby Bryant is out until at least December—so the team is mixing in youngsters and new pieces (Clark Phillips III, rookie Malik Muhammad) to fill gaps.