Bears coach Ben Johnson explains what Mike Ditka still means to Chicago after passing

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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnsonpaid tribute to legendary former coach Mike Ditka on Friday following news of his death, reflecting on his lasting impact on the franchise and the city.

Speaking during his Friday press conference, Johnson described Ditka as the standard for Bears coaches while acknowledging the significance of following in his footsteps.

Dan Wiederer of The Athletic shared a video of Johnson’s remarks on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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“Sad news here this morning, obviously as far as I’m concerned, coach Ditka is the gold standard in terms of this place. I mean he’s a legend around here as a player, as a coach – his impact is still being felt to this day. And as the head coach of the Bears, I feel humbled to be in that same chair that he was once in and you know, it’s a sad day just hearing that he’s passing on.”

Ditka remains one of the most recognizable figures in Bears history, having made his mark on the organization as both a player and head coach.

Chicago selected Ditka with the fifth overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft. He spent six seasons with the Bears, earning five Pro Bowl selections and helping the franchise capture the 1963 NFL championship.

Ben Johnson on the news of Mike Ditka passing away … pic.twitter.com/R52dgRvgE9

— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) October 9, 2026

Mike Ditka’s championship legacy lives on as Bears prepare for Packers

He later returned to Chicago as head coach in 1982, leading the Bears through one of the most successful periods in franchise history.

His tenure included the team’s dominant 1985 season, which culminated in a 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX. The championship remains the franchise’s only Super Bowl title.

Ditka compiled a 106-62 regular-season record across 11 seasons as Chicago’s head coach from 1982 through 1992.

His legacy extends beyond his accomplishments on the field, with his personality and leadership making him a lasting symbol of Chicago sports.

For Johnson, who is in his second season leading the Bears, Ditka’s influence continues to shape the expectations surrounding the organization as it pursues another championship.

Chicago (3-1) will look to honor that legacy when it travels to Lambeau Field for its Week 5 matchup against the rival Green Bay Packers (2-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX.

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