Bears coach Ben Johnson pays tribute to Mike Ditka
Oct. 9, 2026 — By Larry Mayer, Senior Writer. Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson opened his Friday press conference by offering condolences to the family of Hall of Famer Mike Ditka, who died at the age of 86. Johnson described Ditka as “the gold standard” and said he felt humbled to sit in the same coaching chair Ditka once occupied. Ditka’s family released a statement earlier in the day announcing his passing.
Johnson highlighted Ditka’s lasting influence on the franchise and the city, noting that Ditka’s impact is visible throughout team facilities and that his picture is “all over the place.” He said that, aside from George Halas, few Bears head coaches have matched Ditka’s combination of winning seasons and overall success and that Ditka’s legacy matters to the McCaskey family. “His legacy is very strong,” Johnson said.
The Bears selected Ditka with the fifth pick in the 1961 draft. He won NFL Rookie of the Year after catching 56 passes for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns in 1961 and earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his first five seasons. The team named him All-Pro in 1963 and 1964. Ditka helped lead the Bears to the 1963 NFL championship, catching a team-high 59 passes for 794 yards and eight touchdowns that season.
George Halas hired Ditka as Bears head coach in 1982, a few years after Ditka had sent Halas a letter expressing interest in the job. Ditka compiled a 112-68 record over 11 seasons and led the Bears to six NFC Central titles, three appearances in the NFC Championship Game and a victory in Super Bowl XX. The NFL named Ditka Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1988.
Johnson reflected on how the Bears teams of the 1980s embodied Ditka’s approach and singled out the defense as a standard the franchise still references. “That defense there in the ’80s, that was something to behold,” Johnson said, invoking the Monsters of the Midway as a benchmark. He said the team continues to reference that mindset as it works to shape the current roster and culture.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Mike Ditka’s unique place in franchise history gives his death a resonance that extends beyond nostalgia. He is part of two of the most consequential Bears teams in different roles, and his success as both a dominant player and a championship coach set benchmarks the organization still measures itself against. Ben Johnson’s remarks underscore how contemporary Bears leadership views Ditka’s legacy as both a symbolic touchstone and a competitive standard.