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Ben Johnson has arrived at Halas Hall in Chicago for his first season as a head coach. PML awaits what he can do with Caleb Williams and a great offense, but a slow and subpar defense. After a long and mysterious offseason, the final 53 has been announced with Johnson providing insight for each player and an outlook on how this season may go for them.

OFFENSE
QB

Caleb Williams: I came here for Caleb. He is the answer to everything Chicago needs. He will be great. The Bears are moving stadiums and say they want to host a Super Bowl by 2031. I want a Caleb Williams statue by 2030!

Tyson Bagent: This white boy injects more energy into the locker room than Ted Lasso. 

Case Keenum: This white boy brings veteran experience for Caleb and Tyson to learn from.

HB

D’Andre Swift: I definitely didn’t trade him in Detroit, and I’m so glad we are together again… At least he’s quick and a good receiver.

Kyle Monangai: Kyle is a beast I can’t wait to see what he can do in short yardage situations. 

Roschon Johnson: I’ll see what the Texas kid can do, he’ll get snaps at fullback this year at the least.

WR

Rome Odunze: He’s the WR1 because he is the future of this league at the position and has great chemistry with Caleb. I think they together in secret it’s cute. I truly thought he was closer to Marvin Harrison Jr. as a prospect than many people had.

Luther Burden III: He’s the WR2 because youth is the name of the game and how we will win on the outside. His speed and skill are enough to beat pro corners and have played calls for him.

DJ Moore: DJ might be 28, but he’s locked in on a contract for the cycle, and he is just so versatile as a gadget. He’ll play and touch the ball all over. 

Jahdae Walker: This UDFA really proved himself in camp and preseason and I look forward to giving him some chances in real games. 

Devin Duvernay: Excited for a smart kick returner who I can trust to take over some receiver duties if needed. He fits in the slot or as a backup gadget behind DJ.

Miles Boykin: A real good replacement for our top three receivers. Fits the mold well. 

TE

Colston Loveland: I came in and force picked this dude over Tyler Warren in the first round. I wasn’t wrong. He will be essential to winning and the best young tight end behind Brock Bowers. His size and athleticism are impressive and he can carry the load.

Cole Kmet: We may be stacked with skill, but I need it all. 2 TE sets, Kmet as FB, he will be worth his contract in the end. He’s my kind of tight end.

Durham Smythe: Some veteran prescense to help lead the guys and block well in heavy sets. 

Starting OL
LT Braxton Jones: Just earned a cycle extension after being a 5th round pick originally. He’s a great gritty guy to protect the edge. 

LG Joe Thuney: I came here for Caleb and getting a guy like Joe lets me let Caleb do more. He’s such a smart and dominant player in both run and pass plays.

C Drew Dalman: Similar to Joe, Drew is key to winning the interior and offensive success. I hear Atlanta is missing him. 

RG Jonah Jackson: This is where we cross over into maybe overdoing it. Protection is important but Jonah ain’t staying for his whole three years I promise that. 

RT Darnell Wright: I am a Darnell Wright believer. Ryan Poles, our GM, makes mistakes but Wright over Jalen Carter is one I live with 10/10 times. 

Backup OL

OT3 Ozzy Trapilo: I love our depth that a 2nd round rookie is on the bench, he may earn a starting spot can’t lie, just would have to move positions. 

OG3 Ricky Stromberg: A nice piece, would give him more respect if he gets to work in the weight room. 

C2 Ryan Bates: Honestly he’s good enough to start, but Dalman is obviously the guy. Much respect to Bates. 

OT4 Kiran Amegadije: He’s so raw, but he’s just not there yet. I believe our staff can get Kiran good enough to go up against pro defenders. 

OG4 Luke Newman: It’s nice to have a backup lineman locked in for 4 years. No further comment.

DEFENSE

EDGE

Montez Sweat: I think Montez is a great player. His size and speed make up for some areas he could improve. I don’t mind imperfection if he can play at 110% and chase down quarterbacks and running backs alike.

Shemar Turner: I personally made Shemar make the switch from DT to EDGE even at his size because I believe in rookies getting snaps and he is versatile enough. He may go back inside eventually, but not this season. 

Dayo Odeyingbo: Ryan Poles when I catch you Ryan Poles. Anyway, I guess he’s a good edge plug and play just way too expensive. 

Tanoh Kpassagnon: Just a physically imposing beast I trust if he has to play. 

Dominique Robinson: I really liked him at Mohio but he hasn’t developed at all. Riding that bench all season. 

Daniel Hardy: Another edge depth piece that is a good special teams player at his quickness level at least. 

DT

Gervon Dexter Sr: THE MAN. I believe in Gervon Dexter so much, he can and will outperform Jalen Carter this cycle. Trust. He has steadily improved and now is the year he takes the leap to superstardom. BELIEVE!

Grady Jarrett: A great veteran defensive tackle to make this line quality. Games are won and lost where Grady is at his best. 

Andrew Billings: 340 pounds of pure nose tackle strength. The defense for Chicago was notably worse when he got hurt last year and he’ll see the field. 

Chris Williams: Not to be mean but like the exact opposite of Andrew Billings. I don’t trust him outside special teams. 

SAM LB

Ruben Hippolite II: He may be raw, but he’s got plenty of teammates to learn from so we’re throwing the speedy linebacker into the fray to play. 

Nicholas Morrow: A nice free agent pick up to provide depth in case of injury. He can fill in wherever he’s needed. 

MIKE LB

Tremaine Edmunds: A tall and athletic playcaller in the middle of the defense is exactly what a team needs. I need Edmunds to step up and win this team games. 

Noah Sewell: I mean I was good friends with his brother in Detroit. He’s actually impressive on special teams I just like that Morrow is here now for defensive depth. 

WILL LB

TJ Edwards: I love TJ, he’s getting a bit up there in age, but I trust him for at least two seasons. Very important to stopping outside runs. 

D’Marco Jackson: Another special teamer, but I wouldn’t freak out if he was on the field for real. 

CB

Jaylon Johnson: He is a top 5 corner in the league make no mess about it. Jaylon is lockdown and I trust him on an island against anyone and everyone. He’s invaluable within the NFC North division featuring Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St-Brown, and whichever mid receiver the packers trot out against him in our matchups.

Kyler Gordon: He’s a bit slow, but the slot is more secure with him guarding it. He could move to safety in the future, though. 

Tyrique Stevenson: I hate this mf in real life, but he’s a very solid corner and I don’t mind him on the outside in nickel sets as the weakest link at DB. 

Jaylon Jones: Fast and decent depth, he’s a good gunner. I like backup Jaylon.

Shaun Wade: I really thought Wade would grow into an NFL corner when he was at Ohio State. Maybe he still can. 

FS

Kevin Byard III: I love having a quality veteran at every level and Byard is the kind of safety I see when I close my eyes and think of the type of player I want. 

Nick McCloud: I think this defense’s depth is real underrated, McCloud is a defensive back who can plug and play wherever if needed. 

Elijah Hicks: I’m surprised he’s lasted this long as a 7th round pick, but he can make some plays on special teams. 

SS

Jaquan Brisker: I love his intensity and energy. They’re infectious for our defense and their success with aggressive plays. He can blow up passes and runs. He can play deep, he can come press in the slot, or he can provide help in the box.

Jonathan Owens: Mr. Simone Biles is a valued member of the defense who can contribute on special teams and occasional nickel and dime sets. 

SPECIAL TEAMS

K Cairo Santos: Madden for some reason has his kick power at a usable 94 so he’ll stick around even with an IRL noodle leg. 

P Tory Taylor: I loved watching Tory in college he can really get booming punts with great distance and hang time. Poles reached on him, but a reliable punter is nice. 

LS Cole Kmet: Another reason I plan on keeping Kmet all cycle is he is the best long snapping player that isn’t a log snapper in the whole league. Incredibly valuable to free up a roster spot.

RS Devin Duvernay: Him wearing Velus’ number is such a troll, but Devin is a veteran returner who I know can fight to start our drives on the right foot.
Total Outlook

I think I chose the right team to come to, and I’m glad they were interested in me. We’re going to take back the North and never give it back.