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The Bears don’t need new coach Ben Johnson to shed tears like the Eagles’ Nick Sirianni, be a boy genius like the Rams’ Sean McVay, remain calm like the Packers’ Matt LaFleur, radiate optimism like the Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell or bite kneecaps like his boss with the Lions, Dan Campbell.
What they need is for Johnson to take his place among those names — his own way, whatever that is — and eventually to stand eye-to-eye and belong in their company.
The biggest step yet in that direction comes Monday night against the Vikings at Soldier Field, a season opener like none before it for a 39-year-old rookie.