The Chicago Bears are coming off a 5-12 season that included a 10-game losing streak, some deflating losses and a mid-season head coach firing. And yet, there's plenty of optimism surrounding the direction of this franchise after an impactful offseason.
The Bears hired Ben Johnson as their new head coach, and it signaled the start of a new culture that players are already gravitating towards. For some, like new right guard Jonah Jackson, it even has them believing they can go all the way.
Jackson recently spoke to Go Long’s Tyler Dunne, where he talked about his adversity after signing a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams and then suffering a fractured scapula in Week 2 and ultimately lost his starting job. He was traded to Chicago before the start of free agency, where he'll get a fresh start. And just like last year's Bears, Jackson is looking for redemption -- and even a Super Bowl ring.
"All that matters is how you bounce back," Jackson said. "I'm excited to get back to it and string a full season together and get a damn ring."
Jackson knows a little something about turning around a storied franchise as he was part of the turnaround with Johnson in Detroit, where the Lions won their first postseason game in 32 years in Jackson's final season there in 2023. Now, he's looking to help turn things around in Chicago.
"Screw the personal accolades," Jackson said. "It's to win it all. The Bears are such a historic franchise and they've been there before. We're excited to be a part of a turnaround.
"I've been a part of a turnaround before, and we can definitely do it again."
Despite Chicago's struggles last season, there are some core pieces in place on this roster, starting with quarterback Caleb Williams, wide receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, as well as defensive end Montez Sweat. With Johnson already instilling a dominating, winning mentality, we'll see if he can turn this team into contenders.
