For six seasons in the NFL, Montez Sweat knew all about losing football. Six seasons without sniffing the playoffs. Six seasons without a winning record. Six seasons with, including interim fill-ins, five head coaches.In 2023, Sweat played for both the Washington Commanders and Chicago Bears — and led both in sacks. But each team finished last in its respective division.Then came 2025, an energizing year in Chicago as the Bears came back to life. Sweat was the sack leader for a flawed but feisty defense that led the NFL in takeaways. Quarterback Caleb Williams frequently turned the fourth quarters of games into his own personal magic act, compiling a jaw-dropping reel of viral highlights and helping the Bears win seven games in which they trailed in the final two minutes.With heightened levels of unity and belief, the Bears surged to an NFC North title and then an unforgettable comeback playoff win over the rival Packers.Yet last week, as mini-camp concluded and Sweat was asked how those winning ways came to life at Halas Hall, he needed only one word.“Ben,” he said.Quick and confident. Nothing further.Ben — as in Johnson, the just-turned-40 firebrand whose competitive intensity quickly struck a chord with his players.Said Sweat: “He worked the s— out of us. We just were all on one accord. Everybody was on the same page. And everything was really all about winning. If it wasn’t about winning then it was non-existent.”For a man of few words, Sweat’s sentiments said everything, another spring endorsement of an intelligent, driven, focused leader who has a football-crazed city — and more importantly, his own locker room and coaching staff — overflowing with belief at the end of the offseason program.‘He’s in there with you’Rarely a day passed this spring where someone inside Halas Hall didn’t praise Johnson. For his elite football acumen. Or his direct and truthful communication style. Or his unrelenting and contagious work habits.As players reported back to Lake Forest for the offseason program in April, linebacker T.J. Edwards lauded Johnson’s direct leadership style.“He’s going to let you know what he feels in terms of the emotion he brings,” Edwards said. “He makes you feel he’s in there with you, like we’re all in this together. From a player perspective, you respect that.”The following month it was defensive backs coach Al Harris commending Johnson’s consistent intensity. For a guy who considers Andy Reid a mentor and also played for Mike McCarthy, Harris’ praise for Johnson’s offensive vision is noteworthy. But on top of that, he said, Johnson’s consistency in his pursuit of excellence has proven galvanizing.“He’s the same guy every day,” Harris said. “With the helmet on, that’s big. You don’t want a guy who’s going up and down, up and down. He is the same guy. Whether you’re a player or a coach. The standard is the standard.”And just last week, quarterback Caleb Williams again noted his strengthened bond with Johnson.“It’s getting to the point now where there’s times he’ll be saying something and it’s full agreeance,” Williams said. “I (can) kind of finish his sentence on some of these things with his mentality and how he wants to win.”The resulting buy-in across the locker room has brought Johnson’s desired culture to life, with the Bears coach confident his team grasps the expectations and standards he mandates.“They know what’s at stake,” Johnson said. “We had a solid season last year and they’re looking to build upon that. A lot of the momentum we built over the course of the year, we’d like to sustain that. A lot of that is how we go about our business, our process, our way of life.”Summer schoolJohnson isn’t much for relaxing or putting his passion on pause. So, now, as the NFL begins its only true extended dead period on the calendar, it’s worth wondering how the Bears coach may maximize his time before the team’s training camp report date in July.Asked Thursday what was on his radar for this six-week “break,” Johnson didn’t detail a family getaway to Cape Cod or an urge to go fishing, instead emphasizing again how he loves the early summer for the get-ahead opportunities it offers him.Forget the beach or the golf course. Johnson prefers a screen, a deep library of football film and a notepad. And he insinuated Thursday he is determined to find new ways to bring a more exotic flair to the playbook soon.“This offseason (program) has been about, as I’ve talked about, fundamentals and technique,” Johnson said. “We’re running fairly standard formations and plays at this point. We’re trying to build the blocks from the ground up. This offseason I’ll be able to deep dive into some areas of interest for myself.”One example, Johnson said: a quest to drill down on certain running concepts with new running backs coach Eric Studesville, who spent the last nine seasons in Miami, including the past four working within an innovative Mike McDaniel-led offense.“I can’t wait to dive into his cut-ups,” Johnson said. “They did some really unique things.”As for any full escape from football for the rest of June or early July?“Maybe for a minute,” Johnson said with a self-aware grin.The price is rightFor Johnson, the arrival of training camp can’t arrive soon enough. And yes, he has plans to grind and challenge his players with a camp that will strain them physically and mentally.“I’m expecting the worst,” Sweat said. “Just be prepared.”Johnson was asked Thursday if he’d already pinpointed a date during camp to have another “hell” practice — like the one last summer defined by a full afternoon of live tackling and full-throttle competitiveness.“I don’t know. When was that?” Johnson said with a smirk.For whatever it’s worth, it was Aug. 5. Practice No. 11 of camp.That wasn’t a first-year head coach trying to send a message either. It was a championship-driven leader establishing a way of life.“You’ve got to pay a price,” Johnson said. “You’ve got to make deposits if you want to have success in this league.“I’ve been in it 15 years now. I don’t think there’s any way you can cut corners and expect to win on Sundays. Training camp is a big part of that. Our guys understand that. They know what they’re walking into. And I think our type of guys embrace it. They want it. So I’m looking forward to it.”It was obvious Johnson meant that.