After making eight selections in the 2025 NFL draft, the Chicago Bears brought in plenty of talent, depth, and competition at several positions. But head coach Ben Johnson isn’t handing out free opportunities.
The draft selections, featuring tight end Colston Loveland, receiver Luther Burden III, offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive tackle Shemar Turner, along with the moves the team made in free agency has created plenty of depth across the Bears roster. Simply put: Johnson is giving every player an opportunity to earn their spot as a starter.
“We talked about it the moment the players got back in the building [April 7],” Johnson told the media after the draft. “It was going to be a competitive environment. There is no depth chart right now. If you want to play, you’ve got to go earn it. If you want a role, you’ve got to go earn it. They know that. We were very straightforward and honest with them when they came in the building.
“I think all we did this weekend is we might’ve just turned up the notch a couple of dials for certain people in this building. That’s a good thing. That’s a healthy thing. That’s where you bring out the best not only in your team but in each individual.”
Even though he’ll be a first-year head coach this season, Johnson is not giving anything easy with this Bears team, and there’s definitely a different feeling around the organization right now. There’s not only a commitment to winning but actually putting a plan together and making the necessary moves to put themselves in a place where they can compete in the division and the conference next year.
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