The atmosphere surrounding the Chicago Bears’ training camp is one of electric anticipation, a palpable energy born from the arrival of new head coach Ben Johnson and the promise he represents for a long-suffering franchise. Johnson, widely considered one of the most brilliant offensive minds in football, has been tasked with the monumental responsibility of elevating the Bears from perennial underachievers to legitimate contenders.1 While the spotlight has understandably been fixed on his mentorship of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the offensive overhaul, it is the respect and admiration Johnson has already earned from his new colleagues that speaks volumes about his character and leadership. A fiery and emphatic seal of approval has emerged not from the front office or the players, but from a veteran coach on his staff who has seen it all, a ringing endorsement that gives fans even more reason to believe that a new era of Bears football has truly arrived.
The man offering this high praise is special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, a coach whose professional journey has taken him through some of the most respected organizations and under some of the most revered head coaches in the NFL.2 Hightower’s resume is a testament to his expertise and adaptability, having worked with luminaries like Gary Kubiak, Mike Shanahan, and his son Kyle Shanahan.3 He has been a part of winning cultures and has an intimate understanding of what it takes to build a successful team from the ground up. This background makes his recent public comments about Ben Johnson particularly impactful. Hightower, a man not prone to hyperbole, was asked about his new head coach and didn’t hesitate to deliver a powerful, confident statement.4 “I can tell you, we got a damn good head coach here,” Hightower declared to the media. “You guys just watch.”
This isn’t a throwaway line or a perfunctory show of support from a subordinate. This is an experienced football coach, who has a keen eye for genuine leadership, putting his reputation on the line for his new boss. Hightower’s statement is more than a vote of confidence; it is a fiery seal of approval that suggests Johnson possesses a rare combination of strategic brilliance and a commanding presence that few coaches ever achieve. The phrase, “You guys just watch,” is a direct challenge to the skepticism that often follows a first-time head coach, a bold prediction that the results on the field will soon speak for themselves. It’s an acknowledgment that while the early days of training camp may have their ups and downs—as evidenced by Johnson’s own candid admission of “sloppy” offensive play—the foundation being laid is solid and built for sustained success.
Johnson’s approach to coaching is a major reason for this quick and powerful impression. He is known for his directness and high expectations, a style that stands in stark contrast to the often-cautious public demeanor of past Bears regimes. When his offense struggled with pre-snap penalties and execution errors during a recent practice, Johnson did not shy away from the truth. Instead, he publicly held his players accountable, stating, “It was sloppy—sloppier than we were hoping we would be at this point.” He further emphasized the seriousness of the issue, adding, “If it continues like that, we’re not going to win many games.” This kind of candor is a breath of fresh air for a fan base that has grown weary of coaches downplaying problems. It signals a new culture of accountability, where mistakes are not swept under the rug but are instead confronted head-on as a necessary step toward improvement. This transparent and demanding style is precisely what a veteran like Hightower, who has been around winning programs, would recognize and respect. He knows that true leadership isn’t about protecting feelings, but about fostering an environment where greatness is the only acceptable standard.
Beyond his demeanor, Johnson’s reputation as an offensive innovator is what ultimately earned him the Bears’ head coaching job. In his time as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, he transformed a struggling unit into one of the most explosive and creative attacks in the league.5 Under his guidance, quarterback Jared Goff, a player once deemed a bust, enjoyed a career renaissance.6 Johnson’s ability to maximize the talent around him and design schemes that exploit defensive weaknesses made the Lions’ offense a nightmare for opposing coordinators. It is this track record of success that made him the most sought-after coaching candidate in the league, and it is this same mind that the Bears are now counting on to unlock the potential of Caleb Williams and a roster brimming with young talent. Hightower, an expert in his own field, understands the weight of this responsibility and the immense pressure Johnson is under. His “seal of approval” is not just about Johnson’s leadership style, but also a deep-seated belief in his tactical genius and ability to deliver on the immense promise he brings to the organization.
The relationship between a head coach and his staff is crucial, and the synergy Johnson has already built with coaches like Hightower is a powerful indicator of the team’s future. Hightower, along with other veteran coaches on the staff, provides Johnson with a network of experience and knowledge that is invaluable for a first-time head coach. This is a deliberate part of Johnson’s plan, as he has been quoted as saying he wanted a staff filled with both new ideas and seasoned minds who could help him navigate the complexities of being a head coach. The fact that a coach as respected and well-traveled as Hightower has already bought in so completely speaks volumes. It’s a sign that Johnson is not just a bright offensive mind, but a leader who can command the respect and loyalty of his peers.
The Chicago Bears fan base, known for its passionate and sometimes impatient nature, has been starved for a coach who can turn the page on decades of mediocrity. The hiring of Ben Johnson and the selection of Caleb Williams as the number one overall pick were the first two acts in what the team hopes is a new, championship-caliber era. While the journey will undoubtedly have its challenges, the fiery endorsement from a key coach like Richard Hightower provides a powerful shot of confidence. It’s a message that resonates far beyond the locker room, assuring fans that the man at the helm is not just a coach with a plan, but a leader who has already won the trust and admiration of the very people who will help him execute that plan. The message is clear, direct, and full of conviction: Ben Johnson is the real deal, and it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the league takes notice. As Hightower himself said, “You guys just watch.”
