Chicago Bears veteran was noticeably absent at Ben Johnson’s press conference

New Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson challenged his players during his introductory press conference on Wednesday, saying that the bar was set “higher” than it was set in previous years.

Johnson talked several times about accountability, saying that eventually, the Bears would lean on their veterans to hold the team in check.

 “We are going to get to the point when we are winning here, where our veteran players are going to take over the accountability portion of it,” Johnson said.  Until we get there, though, it’s going to be on us as the coaching staff to outline what it should look like what a Chicago Bear is going to look like. What that professional work ethic is going to look like.”

The Chicago Bears had some players in attendance

One veteran from the 2024 team was curiously not there for Johnson’s message.

Quarterback Caleb Williams, tight end Cole Kmet, wide receivers Rome Odunze and DJ Moore were in the front row at Johnson’s press conference.

Players in attendance for Ben Johnson’s opening press conference include Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, Cole Kmet and Rome Odunze.

— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) January 22, 2025

Keenan Allen, who is set to enter free agency in March, was not seated.

Keenan Allen wanted a head coach with experience

At the conclusion of their 5-12 season, Allen and a few veteran players suggested that they wanted Chicago to hire a head coach with prior experience being an NFL head coach. Allen said who the Bears hired would determine if he’d re-sign with Chicago in free agency or if he’d push to join either the Los Angeles Rams or Los Angeles Chargers.

Allen specifically said he wanted a head coach with previous experience.

The Rams with Sean McVay and the Chargers with Jim Harbaugh have two proven head coaches in the league. Johnson could be more of a risk for Allen. At 32, he’s thinking about going to a place where he can win a Super Bowl.

Maybe Johnson can convince him Chicago can be a contender in 2025, and the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator can explain how he intends to keep the locker room accountable.

Johnson gave a brief outline of how he plans to bring discipline to the Bears.

“I think the most important thing, and I’ve already alluded to it a couple times now, is clear communication and structure and expectation,” Johnson said. “And that’s that’s really what we’re going to outline. We will set the standard in terms of what it looks like, what it should look like, what it shouldn’t look like.

“Anytime it’s not hitting that standard, it will be on us as the coaching staff to call guys out and repeat offenders will have to continue to be made an example of.”

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