The Chicago Bears are igniting hope in the Windy City as they launch Organized Team Activities (OTAs) under new head coach Ben Johnson, a move that’s got fans buzzing about a potential turnaround. In this lively episode of Who Will Be King, the NFC North Roundtable—featuring Pay from Frustrated Chicago Sports Fans, Foster from Bleachers to Speakers (Detroit Lions), and Dave from Vikings 1st & SKOL (Minnesota Vikings)—dives into the Bears’ fresh start, Lions’ draft strategy, and Vikings’ quarterback debates. Packed with insights on OTAs, draft prospects like Travis Hunter, and contract talks for stars like Aidan Hutchinson, this Fans First Sports Network podcast is your go-to for NFC North football updates. Curious how Ben Johnson’s leadership could reshape Chicago? Read on for the full scoop!

Bears Usher in a New Dawn with Ben Johnson

The Chicago Bears are hitting the ground running in 2025, kicking off their Organized Team Activities (OTAs) with a palpable sense of optimism under new head coach Ben Johnson. After a disappointing 2024 season that saw just five wins—a step back from the prior year—the Bears wasted no time revamping their leadership. Johnson, formerly the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, brings a dynamic approach that’s already resonating with players and fans alike.

Pay, host of Frustrated Chicago Sports Fans, couldn’t hide his excitement about the early vibes at OTAs. “All the vets are showing up. The best player on the team, Jalen Johnson, who never shows up to voluntary mini-camps, he’s in the building,” Pay said. “He said, ‘I wanna show respect to all the new guys here, Ben Johnson.’ This is getting off on the right foot.”

Johnson’s arrival marks a cultural shift for a franchise desperate to recapture the winning mentality absent since the Lovey Smith era. His hands-on style was evident from day one, as he addressed the media with a challenge to his players. “I’m walking into the quarterback’s room and I’m quizzing people,” Johnson reportedly said, per Pay. “What did you learn yesterday? What was the session about today?” This rigorous approach underscores a commitment to preparation, which Pay summed up with a Chicago adage: “Five P’s—Proper preparation prevents poor performance.”

The Bears’ early start to OTAs, a perk for teams with new head coaches, gives them a head start over division rivals like the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, whose offseason programs begin April 21. “We gonna lap you all day,” Pay teased his co-hosts. “We gonna have almost two months ahead.”

Caleb Williams Thrives Under Johnson’s Guidance

At the heart of Chicago’s resurgence is quarterback Caleb Williams, the former USC star and Heisman Trophy winner. After a rocky 2024 season marred by inconsistent coaching, Williams is embracing Johnson’s demanding yet supportive system. “Caleb’s always said he wants to be challenged,” Pay noted. “He didn’t get that from the previous coaching staff, and he desired Ben Johnson from the onset of this coaching search.”

Williams has already forged a “symbiotic relationship” with Johnson and the quarterbacks coach, according to Pay. The young signal-caller is relishing the chance to reconnect with his receivers during OTAs, rebuilding chemistry that may have waned over the offseason. “He’s throwing the ball around, getting more comfortable,” Pay said.

A key question looms: will Johnson tailor his offense to Williams’ strengths? In Detroit, Johnson’s scheme leaned heavily on under-center plays, contrasting with Williams’ shotgun-heavy experience at USC and in Chicago last year. “Ben did say he’s going to strip it all down and make the best thing for the players that he has,” Pay explained. “I expect a little bit of give and take—some shotgun to keep Caleb comfortable, but he’s gonna learn to go under center, check reads, and do five- and seven-step drops.”

This adaptability could unlock Williams’ potential, avoiding the sluggish offensive showings that plagued Chicago in 2024’s preseason. “We want to see the fruits of our labor this time around,” Pay emphasized. “We want those jewels we got in free agency and the draft to show off and show out.”

Lions Eye Draft Grit and Hutchinson’s Future

Across the division, the Detroit Lions are building on their 2024 success, though they’re navigating the loss of Ben Johnson to Chicago. Foster, from Bleachers to Speakers, highlighted Detroit’s focus on the upcoming NFL Draft, set to begin April 24, 2025. General Manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell emphasized their preference for draft picks over high-priced free agents, seeking players who embody the team’s gritty culture.

“They prefer to find guys in the draft that have the identical team culture—the grit, the Kool-Aid running through their veins,” Pay said, summarizing Holmes and Campbell’s comments from the NFL owners’ meetings.

Foster spotlighted several prospects who could fit Detroit’s mold. “Tyler Booker out of Alabama—he’s a guard, been rumored to the Lions recently,” Foster said. “Shamar Stewart’s another guy who echoes that sentiment of grit, though his numbers don’t jump off the page.” He also mentioned edge rushers like James Pierce and David Green, though he noted their character might not perfectly align with Detroit’s high standards.

The draft discussion took a contentious turn over Shamar Stewart’s value. “I think Shamar Stewart is the lemon in the first round,” Pay declared, suggesting a top-10 selection could disappoint. Dave countered, “He could be one of many. There’s a consensus of about 10 or 12 first-rounders, then a huge bucket in the next 50 that some teams will have as a first-rounder and others will not.”

A bigger storyline for Detroit is the contract situation of star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who suffered a broken tibia and fibula in 2024. Despite the injury, Foster expressed confidence in locking him up long-term. “I’d have to imagine we lock something in before the season starts, maybe during training camp,” he said. When pressed on a fair number, Foster hesitated to lowball: “He should be getting top dollar as far as edge rushers are concerned—top three pay-wise.”

Dave provided context, noting the market’s top edge rushers: “Miles Garrett’s at 40 million a year, Danielle Hunter at 35.6, Max Crosby at 35.5.” Pay suggested a bold move: “If you believe in him, set the market—pay him more than Miles Garrett, maybe 42, 45.” Foster acknowledged the risk post-injury but affirmed Hutchinson’s youth (25 years old) and potential make him a cornerstone worth betting on.

Vikings Debate Quarterbacks and Draft Needs

In Minnesota, the Vikings are charting their course with quarterback J.J. McCarthy as their 2025 starter, decisively shutting down rumors of interest in Aaron Rodgers. “The owners came out with it, the GM came out with it last week—J.J. McCarthy is going to be the man this year,” Dave said, referencing the team’s announcement before season ticket sales.

Dave also defended Seattle’s acquisition of Sam Darnold, a former Viking, against skepticism from Pay’s Pittsburgh Steelers contacts. “He’s a QB1,” Dave asserted. “Kevin O’Connell fixed some weaknesses, and now he’s reading defenses a whole lot differently. He threw 37 touchdowns last year, over 4,000 yards.” At a three-year, $100.5 million contract ($33.5 million annually), Dave sees Darnold as a steal for Seattle, dismissing notions that his success was solely due to Minnesota’s high-powered offense.

On the draft front, the Vikings are positioned for flexibility at pick 24. “We’ve set ourselves up for best player available,” Dave said. “There’s no immediate holes for starters.” While a running back like [Ashton] Jeanty could tempt them if he falls, Dave expects Minnesota to target later rounds for backfield depth, preserving their first-round pick for a high-impact player at positions like corner, interior line on both sides of the ball, safety or linebacker.

The Vikings’ running back room, featuring Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, is solid but could see an addition. “I fully expect we’ll target a running back in the third, fifth, or sixth round,” Dave predicted, emphasizing a long-term approach to roster building.

Draft Buzz: Travis Hunter’s Two-Way Appeal

A heated debate emerged over Colorado’s Travis Hunter, a two-way star projected as a top draft pick. Pay questioned his NFL fit, particularly as a wide receiver given his 6-foot-0.5, 188-pound frame. “I don’t see the pathway to him being a successful wide receiver in the league,” Pay said. “As a defensive back, maybe, but everybody in the NFL is athletic.”

Dave pushed back, calling Hunter “a once-in-a-generation player” who could excel at either cornerback or receiver. “He’s one of the best corners in the draft,” Dave insisted, while acknowledging Hunter’s preference for a receiver’s paycheck: “He’s asking to be paid as a wide receiver because they get more money than corners.”

Foster dismissed concerns about Hunter’s off-field issues impacting his draft stock. “I don’t think he’s the type to react to trash talk about his girlfriend,” Foster said. “He’s gone through extreme scrutiny at Colorado with Prime—the light shouldn’t be too bright for him.” Pay predicted Hunter won’t fall past the Patriots at pick four, envisioning him as a cornerstone for a new-era, two-way player.

Stadium Talks and NFC North Rivalries

The roundtable took a quirky turn with Pay addressing a rumor floated by NFL insider Mike Florio: a potential joint stadium in Chicago for the Bears and Cincinnati Bengals. “I’m probably the only Bears fan who’s like, yeah, bring in another team,” Pay laughed. “As long as it’s in Chicago, Cook County, crooked C, I don’t care.”

Foster and Dave chuckled at the logistics, likening it to shared stadiums in New Jersey and Los Angeles. While Bengals fans resist leaving Ohio, Pay urged them to “hear it out,” prioritizing keeping the Bears on Chicago’s lakefront over suburban relocation.

As the draft nears, rivalries simmered. Pay took a playful jab at Detroit’s 2024 dominance—“Detroit’s always a party pooper”—while Dave warned of a Lions regression. Foster fired back [as a diversion], touting the Tigers’ early baseball success: “When you nearly sweep the Yankees, you end up above .500 and in first place.”

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Conclusion: A Division Poised for Drama

As the Bears embark on the Ben Johnson era, the NFC North is brimming with storylines. Chicago’s OTAs signal a cultural reset, with Caleb Williams poised to shine under Johnson’s tutelage. Detroit’s draft strategy and Hutchinson’s contract talks underscore their ambition to stay atop the division, while Minnesota’s faith in J.J. McCarthy and strategic draft approach hint at a sleeper threat.

With the NFL Draft just 14 days away on April 24, 2025, the NFC North Roundtable captures the pulse of a division where every move counts. “I cannot wait for the draft,” Pay exclaimed. “I wanna see the new era of Bears.” For fans of the Bears, Lions, and Vikings, the road to supremacy promises to be a thrilling ride.

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Follow us on Twitter  for more updates… Pay @TheRealPayday, host of the Frustrated Chicago Sports Fans, June @asgjune & M Foster @Mbrfosterchild, hosts of the Bleachers To Speakers [Lions] podcast, and Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare, from @Vikings1stSKOL. This has been a joint podcast production partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and Fans First Sports Network’s NFL feed @FFSN_NFL.