Another week, another loss for the Chicago Bears. This time, they were embarrassed by the guy who most smart people hope will share a sideline with Caleb Williams next season, Ben Johnson.
Ben Johnson Gave the Bears Plenty to Think About on Sunday
Ben Johnson didn’t just embarrass the Bears’ defense on Sunday; he hung a big fat exclamation mark on it, rubbing their face in the dirt like a schoolyard bully, when he whipped out a trick play that he cooked up specifically for them.
If you recall this play:
^^ Lions players Jahmyr Gibbs and Tim Patrick cited this play as Ben Johnson'se muse for what became this "stumble bum" play today pic.twitter.com/PVJZmQYOH6
— Kalyn Kahler (@kalynkahler) December 22, 2024You should recall this play:
Even when the Packers aren't beating the Bears, they are still beating the Bears, this time via Lions OC Ben Johnson, who took this accidental fumbled snap play from Sept 2023 and turned it into a choreographed "stumble bum" that was a TD today. pic.twitter.com/fJQrtC2LQy
— Kalyn Kahler (@kalynkahler) December 22, 2024Johnson whipped out an okie-doke from an actual fumbled snap by Jordan Love that resulted in a broken coverage and a touchdown against the Bears 15 months ago at Soldier Field. And guess what? The Bears fell for it. Again.
It’s not the gotcha factor here that impresses me about Johnson. It’s the attention to detail that Johnson showed in drawing this one up and whipping it out against the Bears at an almost identical point in the game.
Even without David Montgomery, Johnson dialed up explosive play after explosive play on Sunday. Detroit’s offense cruised, racking up 473 yards, 27 first downs, 0.309 EPA per play, and a whopping 12 explosive plays.
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORKCaleb Williams Continued to Impress in Front of Johsnon
While Johnson gave the Bears decision-makers plenty to think about on Sunday (or left them with not much to think about if they’re serious about fixing this team), Caleb Williams did his best to convince Johnson he’s a quarterback with whom he can do some extraordinary things.
Williams threw for 336 passing yards and two touchdowns, recorded two big-time throws (PFF), and zero turnover-worthy plays. Williams received an 83.0 offensive grade for his performance against the Lions this week at PFF.
As I wrote in yesterday’s instant grades: In two games against the Lions this season, Williams has thrown for 588 passing yards, five touchdowns, 73 rushing yards, and zero interceptions. Hopefully, the next time we see Williams and Johnson on the same field, they will share a sideline.
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) reaches for Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) at Soldier Field during a game against the Chicago Bears at in Chicago, Ill., on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024.All I Want for Christmas …
Is for people to stop asking these ridiculous, pointless, brain-rotting questions:
“Why would Ben Johnson (or any coach) want to come here?” “He’s clearly a good Offensive Coordinator, but what makes you think he can be a Head Coach?”The answer to the first question is simple: Caleb Williams. Williams has put on a show in both meetings with Ben Johnson, and if Johnson decides it’s time to become a head coach in the NFL this offseason, overseeing Caleb Williams’ development in Chicago seems like the obvious choice for Johnson. I understand that Bears fans are at the peak of the cynicism cycle right now after another dreadful season, but this head coaching vacancy will be atop the lists of many head coaching candidates this offseason.
If you succeed in Chicago, you become an immortal sports legend. That will always motivate potential head coaches. The Bears will enter the offseason with Caleb Williams entering the second year of his rookie contract, $80 million in cap space, four selections in the top 75 picks in the NFL Draft, and plenty of weapons on the offensive side of the ball. The Bears are one solid offseason of building in the trenches and the right head coach away from being a legitimate contender in the NFC North.
Regarding the second question, you realize that all successful NFL head coaches were once considered nothing more than “good offensive coordinators” or “good defensive coordinators,” correct?
The notion that he shouldn’t be the top choice for the head coaching vacancy simply because he has not done it before is the idiotic line of thinking that has plagued the Bears for decades.
So, please stop spewing this ridiculousness for the love of all things holy.
© Daniel Bartel-Imagn ImagesWhile we’re discussing moronic takes, let’s address one more:
“Ben Johnson has a much better roster in Detroit than he will have in Chicago!”
No disrespect to Jared Goff, but Caleb Williams is a better quarterback with more potential and a cheaper contract. Give me Williams in Johnson’s offense over Goff every time.
Amon-Ra St. Brown is excellent. But the Bears wide receiver room is better than the Lions.
Detroit has invested heavily in their offensive line, and they’re clearly better off for it. You can bet that Johnson (or any head coach) will ensure that a good portion of that $80 million in cap space and four picks in the top 75 will be invested in the offensive line this offseason.
An improved offensive line will make D’Andre Swift a more productive running back. A better head coach with a better offensive system will help Swift and Roschon Johnson become a better (and more balanced) backfield duo. In 2022, Swift played for Ben Johnson in Detroit and averaged 5.5 yards per rushing attempt and 8.1 yards per reception.
Please stop it. Stop making weird, unfactual excuses to rationalize not making the obvious correct move this offseason in favor of bringing in another “proven” retread hire that makes everyone feel all warm and fuzzy when he talks about whipping the boys into shape in his opening press conference.
That’s what got the Bears here in the first place, and it’s the reason why this franchise has been stuck in neutral for decades while the rest of the league embraces innovation and modernization.
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