Heartbreak fuels resolve. Coach Ben Johnson views the playoff loss as a crucial catalyst, forging a memorable feeling to ignite future success for the Bears.
It doesn't get any more painful than the heartbreaker that the Chicago Bears suffered on Sunday night in the Divisional Round.
Chicago lost 20-17 to the Los Angeles Rams on a game-winning field goal from Harrison Mevis in overtime.
Chicago won the coin toss and kicked the ball to Los Angeles, and the defense got a stop. However, Caleb Williams was intercepted on the following drive, and the Rams didn't waste any time, getting into field-goal range and sending the Bears home.
Head coach Ben Johnson reflected on the team's progress this season and was very proud. He hopes that the loss to the Rams will be a sparkplug for the Bears in the future and "a feeling we won't forget."
"Like I said, disappointing result. Our guys are feeling it right now. They all believed, man. They all believed all year long that we could find a way to win each and every week. So, it's disappointing like that, but I am proud of the group. You know, it's a special group, I said that a few weeks ago. I believe that to my core. When you're with a group of men for the last time in a locker room, it's not just gonna be the same going forward. I appreciate all of them. The men and women, you know, coaches, players, support staff, everybody. Everybody that had a role. You know, it was a special year, and this will be hopefully a feeling everybody in this locker room that we won't forget and will be able to use as fuel going forward."
This was a team that was 5-12 in 2024 under former head coach Matt Eberflus. To reach the Divisional Round in Johnson's first year is nothing short of amazing.
This season truly was a team effort, and you can't do that without having people like Case Keenum in the locker room. Keenum didn't see the field once during the season, but was constantly providing wisdom and guidance to younger players on the Bears' roster.
He was the emergency quarterback for most of the year, but he was still a vital part of that locker room.
The 2025 season should be a great stepping stone for the Bears as they look to improve in year two of Johnson's tenure. The entire city of Chicago rallied behind this team, and the future looks bright in the Windy City.