One day after a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Rams in an NFC Divisional Playoff game ended their season, Bears players were sad and disappointed as they cleaned out their lockers Monday at Halas Hall.

But they also were appreciative and proud reflecting on what they accomplished during one of the most fun and exciting seasons in recent franchise history. In Ben Johnson's first year as coach, the Bears won the NFC North for the first time since 2018 and beat the rival Packers in a thrilling wild card contest at Soldier Field.

Looking ahead, the consensus among the players who spoke to reporters Monday was that the Bears have an extremely bright future in large part due to the presence of Johnson and franchise quarterback Caleb Williams.

In joining forces in 2025, the two led the Bears to an 11-6 record that was highlighted by six wins in games they trailed in the final 2:00, the most by an NFL team since at least 1970. They followed the same blueprint in recording their first playoff win since 2010 when they rallied from a 21-6 deficit entering the fourth quarter to stun Green Bay 31-27.

After spending the previous three seasons coordinating an explosive Lions offense, Johnson brought intensity, passion and accountability to Halas Hall. Following an 0-2 start, the Bears won four straight and nine of their next 10 games. They followed a Week 2 loss in Detroit with four straight wins and a Week 8 defeat in Baltimore with five consecutive victories.

"He's been a catalyst for us," Williams said. "To be able to lead us, to be able to stand strong in tough moments and good moments, to be able to show emotion, be able to be who he is and be consistent with that and do what he said he was going to do, he's been everything that Chicago's needed as a coach."

Much to the delight of Bears fans, Johnson not only embraced the fierce rivalry with the Packers in his first season in Chicago, but he beat Green Bay twice in a four-week span—once in the regular season and once in the playoffs—both times erasing double-digit fourth-quarter deficits.

Veteran safety Kevin Byard III believes that Johnson deserves "a ton" of credit for the Bears' success this season.

"I've said this from Day 1: Chicago, the Bears, they got the right guy leading this team," Byard said. "He did a phenomenal job this year. We all kind of knew when Ben came in as the head coach about his offensive play-calling and how good the offense was going to be. But just the accountability, the tone that was set from Day 1 with the tough training camp that we had, he just did a phenomenal job this year."

"His impact on this team has been great," added safety Jaquan Brisker. "The way he changed the culture, the way he has been a player's coach, that's why you see the players go out and play for him every single time. Chicago has a great head coach and a coaching staff. The future's bright here."

Johnson became the first Bears coach to win a postseason game in his first year in franchise history. The offense showed marked improvement under his guidance, ranking sixth in total yards and ninth in scoring in 2025 after finishing in the bottom five of the league in both categories in 2024. As a result, the Bears became the first NFL team to finish in the top six in total yards one year after ranking last in the league since the 1971 Jets.

"Ben's an incredible coach, incredible football mind and great leader," said center Drew Dalman. "It's an absolute pleasure to play for him."

"He's established a winning culture," added right tackle Darnell Wright, "and he's definitely given us something to build on."

Johnson was instrumental in Williams' emergence this year. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft set a Bears single season passing record with 3,942 yards and had a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 27-to-7 that was the fifth best in the NFL.

"I'm happy to have him as my coach, and what he's been able to do for me, it's been unparalleled," Williams said. "I'm excited about that. I'm excited that we're going to be together. I'm excited about our future. I'm excited about getting back here with him and growing more than I did this year and being able to have games and moments like this many times in our career."

Williams was at his best in crunch time throughout the season, regularly displaying his clutch gene with remarkable highlight throws in rallying to win games.

On Nov. 2 in Cincinnati, he rifled a 58-yard touchdown pass to tight end Colston Loveland with :17 remaining to give the Bears a thrilling 47-42 victory.

That would have been the play of the year until Dec. 20 when Williams hit receiver DJ Moore in stride for a 46-yard TD in overtime to beat the Packers, putting the Bears in position to clinch the NFC North a week later.

Williams donned his Superman cape again less than a month later in a playoff rematch versus Green Bay. Scrambling to his left, he completed an incredible off-balance throw to receiver Rome Odunze for a 27-yard gain on fourth-and-8, keeping the Bears' hopes alive. On their next possession, he hit Moore with a game-winning 25-yard TD pass.

"[Williams] shows up in big games all the time," said running back Kyle Monangai, "makes throws that no one can fathom. That's who he is."

Despite his previous heroics, William topped himself Sunday night. Trailing 17-10 and facing fourth-and-4 from the Rams' 14 in the final minute of regulation, he retreated under heavy pressure and flung a pass 50 yards off his back foot from the 40 to the back left corner of the end zone, where Cole Kmet snared the ball, tying the score 17-17 with :18 to play.

"That touchdown to Cole was unbelievable," Byard said. "I mean, guys were speechless on our sideline. It was special. He's done it week-in and week-out. I don't think it surprises anybody at this point. Honestly, I think he's probably the most gifted thrower that I've ever seen. We talk about Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford and all these guys. When I highlight [Williams'] best throws, I don't think I've seen anyone better. Maybe I have to go back to some old highlights of Aaron Rodgers, but the throws that [Williams] has made even just this year have been unlike anything that I've ever seen."

Williams will no doubt continue to grow in his third NFL season and second working with Johnson in 2026.

"He was great," Wright said. "There were games where he singlehandedly won us the game. He's the best quarterback I've ever played with, for sure. I'm happy he's going to be my quarterback next year."

"It's amazing," Brisker added. "You see the plays he makes out there, and you can't coach some of those things. They have a quarterback here in Chicago and it's going to be special … He's going to be a problem in this league."