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The Gospel of Excellence: Ben Johnson's "Good, Better, Best" as the Bears' Core Philosophy

For Head Coach Ben Johnson, the "Good, Better, Best" chant is more than a catchy phrase; it's a deeply ingrained philosophy that became the rallying cry for the Chicago Bears, driving their recent success.

The Origin: A Foundation of Relentless Improvement

Johnson did not invent this mantra; he reclaimed it from his high school days at A.C. Reynolds High School in Asheville, N.C., where his former teammate, country singer Chase Rice, also learned it. The chant itself speaks volumes about the mindset instilled by Johnson’s high school coach, Bobby Poss, and his mentor, Richard Bell:

Good, better, best
Never let it rest
Till your good gets better
And your better gets best

This emphasizes that winning is not the ceiling; continuous improvement is the culture.

Good, Better, Best in Practice for the Bears

The philosophy is implemented as a standard for post-game accountability and motivation, particularly after victories:

Good (The Win Achieved): The victory itself is acknowledged as "Good." It's a positive result, and the team celebrates moments like handing out game balls.
Better (The Work Continues): Even after achieving the "Good," the mantra immediately pivots. Players and coaches are reminded that the effort was not sufficient if they settle there. The focus shifts to fixing the flaws that were visible during the game.

Best (The Untapped Potential): This is the ultimate aspiration-the absolute limit of their current capability. Johnson uses this to push the team, especially when they win "ugly," recognizing they have massive room for growth. As Johnson stated, "There's a long way that we can still go."

Safety Kevin Byard noted that while the phrase might sound "cheesy" initially, when tied to winning, it becomes part of the team's culture and identity. It ensures that no matter the success, the team never quits seeking marginal gains.

The Most Striking Element:

The mantra’s power is that it mandates reflection even in triumph. Unlike past motivational tools that faded with losses (like the "Club Dub" celebration), "Good, Better, Best" is only invoked after a win, using that success as a springboard to demand even higher performance next week.