Charles Tillman Says What Every Bears Fan Is Thinking About Ben Johnson
When you hear the term ‘It Factor’ in the context of sports, what you typically will think of is the athlete who possesses the right combination of competitiveness, swagger, skillset and sense of the moment. There’s an almost tangible aura that radiates off of this person, and a magnetism that draws others in. It’s intoxicating and powerful, and it’s precisely what you want from the leader of your team.
It’s uncommon, however, to hear someone talk about a head coach using a term like ‘It Factor,’ but when discussing Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson, it’s precisely the way that Bears legend Charles “Peanut” Tillman thought to describe the man who is changing the culture in the Windy City.
“The one time I met him, I felt he had that ‘it factor,’” Tillman told Bears Den co-host Anthony Adams. “I really think he has that, and it’s infectious amongst his players and his coaches. And I think that is something we haven’t had in a while, and that’s a beautiful thing to see.”
In truth, the last time a Bears coach had his locker room behind him the way that Ben Johnson already seems to was back when Peanut Tillman was playing and Lovie Smith was the man in charge, but Lovie didn’t have the dynamic, borderline psychotic personality quirks that Johnson possesses. You could make a case that Matt Nagy
“The culture is changing,” Tillman added. “What really makes me believe that, Caleb mentioned something last night when he was at the podium, he said, ‘this team loves each other. I’m super blessed and happy and excited to wake up every day and be coached by Ben Johnson.’ All the players on that team will run through a brick wall for Coach Johnson.”
For context, here is the full quote about Ben Johnson from Caleb Williams’ post-game press conference that Peanut Tillman paraphrased:
“I’m excited every single day that I get to wake up and be coached by him, and I know the other guys are also,” Williams said on Monday night. “We believe in him, we trust him, we trust our other coaches, and I think that’s gonna continue to keep growing. The belief in him is there, and we want to win for him.”
Yeah, those are the words of a player who is totally bought in.
Bears Culture is Changing, But Will Postseason Drought Soon be Ending?
It’s still a little early in the season to be contemplating a question like this one, but it’s also not so early that Bears fans aren’t prone to thinking about whether the team’s first postseason appearance in half a decade could be on the horizon. Chicago has now won three games in a row and is entering a stretch of its season that is suddenly set up for success.
The 1-5 New Orleans Saints will be visiting Soldier Field this Sunday, then the Bears have back to back games versus the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, a pair of teams who looked far more formidable heading into the season than they presently do. After that, the Bears host the New York Giants. Theoretically, it’s possible that Chicago could win all four of these games, which means a 7-2 start isn’t off the table.
Is this likely? Not necessarily. The Bears will stub their toe somewhere along the way. New Orleans, Cincinnati and New York have all proven to be frisky even against top-tier opponents, and Baltimore could have Lamar Jackson back in the lineup for this Week 8 matchup.
But is it impossible? Of course not, especially if the Bears manage to clean up many of their self-inflicted wounds, avoid any major injuries, and continue to play as hard for Ben Johnson as they have been to start the season.
Josh Allen Gets Real About Playing Second Fiddle To Hollywood Wife Hailee Steinfeld
Look, we’ve all been there. You are the hotshot quarterback leading one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses, fresh off an MVP-caliber season, and then you walk into a hotel in Paris with your wife, and suddenly you’re chopped liver. Welcome to Josh Allen’s world, folks.
The Buffalo Bills signal-caller recently opened up about what it’s really like being married to Hailee Steinfeld, and let me tell you, it’s not your typical “football star marries actress” story. This is a guy who’s comfortable admitting he might not be the biggest celebrity in his own household – and honestly, that is refreshing.
Allen’s Hilarious Reality Check About International Fame
During a candid chat on Fitz and White, Allen dropped this gem that had me chuckling: “Going to Paris or Italy for fashion weeks, nobody over there knows who I am. We walk into a hotel, and people are lined up trying to get photos and autographs. She’s a rock star.”
Can you imagine? You’re Josh Allen, you know, the guy who can throw a football through a brick wall and looks like he was carved out of Wyoming granite, and European hotel lobbies are treating you like Steinfeld’s plus-one. That’s got to be a humbling experience for any athlete, but Allen seems to roll with it better than most quarterbacks handle a Bills Mafia tailgate.
The 29-year-old quarterback didn’t sound bitter about it either. In fact, he sounded downright amazed by his wife’s global appeal. “I love her and I don’t know how she does it, but she does it,” he said, and you could practically hear the admiration in his voice.
The Emotional Side Of Allen We Don’t Usually See
Here’s where things get really interesting – and where Allen showed us a side we don’t typically see from NFL quarterbacks. Remember that scene from HBO’s “Hard Knocks” where he’s talking about Steinfeld’s latest movie, “Sinners”? The man literally started tearing up on camera.
When sports personality Kyle Brandt asked him to review the film, Allen didn’t hesitate: “A+. Because it combines a lot of different aspects of life. My wife absolutely kills it.” Then he added something that made every married person watching nod in recognition: “And hopefully award season coming around, people make the right decision.” That’s husband material right there, people.
But it gets better. Allen admitted he was crying at the movie’s premiere. “When we watched it at the premiere, I was crying at the end,” he said. “I was just so proud of her. I get emotional thinking about it, but it was a pretty cool experience.”
When Brandt pointed out that Allen was getting emotional just talking about it, the quarterback’s response was perfect: “Stop it!” Classic guy move – getting caught being vulnerable and immediately trying to play it off.
The Power Couple Dynamic That Actually Works
What makes this relationship fascinating from a sports perspective is how Allen has embraced being what Brandt called “the second most talented person in his own marriage.” Most elite athletes have egos the size of small countries, but Allen’s response was immediate and definitive: “Absolutely not. One thousand percent, and I’m okay with it.” Allen understands something that a lot of high-profile athletes struggle with: your partner’s success doesn’t diminish your own. In fact, it can enhance it.
The timeline of their relationship reads like a modern fairy tale. They were first spotted together in May 2023, went Instagram official in July 2024, got engaged four months later, and tied the knot in Santa Barbara this past May. Allen called their wedding night “the best night of my life honestly,” and added with that trademark grin, “And my wife’s life, I think. That’s what she says.”
How Steinfeld’s Success Fuels Allen’s Drive
Here’s the kicker – Allen credits his wife’s support as a driving force behind his on-field success. “To have the support that I do at home, and to have someone that I share similar life interests with and wants in life, it’s an awesome feeling,” he explained. “I get to support somebody as much as she supports me.”
That mutual support system is gold for any relationship, but it’s especially valuable for someone in Allen’s position. The pressure of being an NFL quarterback is relentless, and having a partner who not only understands the spotlight but thrives in it has to be incredibly valuable.
Think about it from a practical standpoint: Steinfeld knows what it’s like to have every move scrutinized, to perform under pressure, and to maintain composure when the stakes are high. Those are skills that translate directly to what Allen faces every Sunday.
The Bigger Picture for Bills Fans
As Buffalo fans gear up for another season with championship aspirations, Allen’s personal stability could be a huge factor. Happy quarterbacks tend to be better quarterbacks, and Allen sounds about as content as they come. The fact that he’s comfortable enough to admit he’s not the most famous person in his marriage, that he gets emotional watching his wife’s work, and that he genuinely enjoys supporting her career – all of that points to someone who’s got his priorities straight.
In a league where personal drama can derail entire seasons, Allen’s grounded approach to his relationship with Steinfeld might just be the secret weapon that finally gets the Bills over the hump. After all, it’s hard to be rattled by fourth-quarter pressure when you have already mastered the art of being the supportive spouse at a Paris fashion week.
So here’s to Josh Allen, the quarterback who’s secure enough in his own skin to celebrate being married to a superstar. In a world full of fragile egos and toxic masculinity, that might just be his most impressive completion yet.
