Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson isn’t letting his team’s recent success cloud their focus as they prepare for a critical Week 7 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
Ben Johnson Sends Focused Message Ahead of Bears’ Matchup with Saints
Despite the Bears’ improved play and a defense that currently leads the NFL in takeaways per game, Johnson made it clear that there will be no room for complacency this week.
“This is a team that we’re about to play that they have a lot of veteran players that have played at a high level and are a prideful group,” Johnson said ahead of Sunday’s clash. “I probably watched to this point a lot more defense than I have of their offense, but I have a lot of respect for how they play. They’re getting better every week. I talked to DA [Dennis Allen], he feels the same way about their offense. They continue to ascend, and so we won’t overlook this opponent. This is a good football team that’s on the rise.”
Johnson’s respect for the Saints is paired with a clear message to his own locker room: stay focused on the present.
“When we have our team meeting here, it’s gonna be pretty clear that what’s in the past is in the past and we’re only focused on this week,” he added.
The statement echoes the culture Johnson has been instilling since taking over in Chicago, one built on accountability, consistency, and week-to-week growth.
Dennis Allen’s Influence on Chicago’s Defense
A major storyline heading into this matchup is the familiar face on Chicago’s sideline, former Saints head coach Dennis Allen. The Bears brought in Allen this offseason to serve as the defensive coordinator, and his impact has been immediate.
Under his leadership, Chicago’s defense has become one of the league’s most opportunistic units, forcing 12 takeaways through the first five games (eight interceptions and four forced fumbles). That mark leads the NFL, averaging 2.4 takeaways per game.
Not new to this, true to this.
pic.twitter.com/OmkbjzdtWB
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 15, 2025
For Johnson, Allen’s arrival has been nothing short of transformative.
“He’s been a godsend to me because he’s been incredible,” Johnson said. “Not just from coordinating the defense but he’s helped me every step of the way as well. Very grateful for him to be here and everything that he’s done for this team.”
Allen’s tenure with his team as the Saints’ defensive coordinator and head coach was marked by a defense that consistently ranked among the league’s best in points and yards allowed. Now, he’s brought the same aggressive, intelligent approach to Chicago, helping reshape a defense that has previously struggled to create turnovers and sustain pressure under Matt Eberflus.
Johnson credited Allen’s adaptability and creativity as key factors in the Bears’ defensive turnaround.
“He’s been a very successful coach in this league for a long time, and I think you gotta continue to evolve. You can’t just be stagnant in this league or else someone younger, hungrier will find a way to surpass you, and he hasn’t allowed that to happen. He’s done this at a high level…he thinks outside the box. He’s very smart, very creative, and I think our guys are really starting to understand, ‘Ok, he’s giving us a strategic advantage each and every week right now.’”
Facing his former team adds an emotional layer to this matchup for Allen, but his focus remains on keeping Chicago’s defense sharp and disciplined against a Saints offense that’s beginning to find its rhythm.
With Allen’s defense leading the charge and Johnson’s leadership keeping the team grounded, Chicago enters Week 7 as a team growing in both confidence and identity.
The (3-2) Bears host the (1-5) Saints on Sunday, October 19th at 1:00 PM Eastern Time.
Main Image: Lon Horwedel – Imagn Images
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