The 2025 Chicago Bears are under new management, with former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson now calling the shots in the Windy City. But while most of the offseason hype has been surrounding the offense, and how Johnson can get the best out of a unit led by 2024 first-overall pick Caleb Williams, the Bears defense seems to be getting somewhat overlooked.

This is despite Johnson bringing in former Saints head coach Dennis Allen to coordinate the defensive unit — a hire that has found favour with Bears legend Charles ‘Peanut’ Tillman, who thinks that Allen is the man to get his players in the right position to make plays.

Tillman, who played for 13 seasons in the NFL with the first 12 as a member of the Bears, was in the UK as part of the teams’s Girls Flag Football League programme, and took time out from his mentoring role to tell Gridiron exactly why he thinks Allen could be key for the 2025 Bears.

“It’s good for Dennis and the Bears,” he emphasised. “It’s like a reset button; everyone gets a reset. In his past, he’s liked to get after quarterbacks, he’s an aggressive playcaller. I know for a fact that the Bears players are buying into what he is selling and preaching about how they are going to be playing on defense.”

The Bears were 13th in points allowed a year ago, but gave up the sixth most yards at 5.9 yards per play. Tillman accepts that there will be occasional lapses, with touchdowns given up on occasions, but thinks the unit will be just fine.

“The Bears defense will win games,” he claimed “And remember, offense sells tickets, defense wins championships!”