'They like to hear that noise' — Ben Johnson says Bears RBs are embracing doubters while he plans to bring a unique approach to the run game
As the Chicago Bears start getting into the weeds of training camp, seeing how Ben Johnson's offense will be tailored will be one of the top storylines.Johnson already mentioned previously in the offseason that his scheme in Chicago will look different compared to the scheme he ran the last three years with the Detroit Lions, […]
As the Chicago Bears start getting into the weeds of training camp, seeing how Ben Johnson's offense will be tailored will be one of the top storylines.
Johnson already mentioned previously in the offseason that his scheme in Chicago will look different compared to the scheme he ran the last three years with the Detroit Lions, but some of the foundational elements will remain the same.
The offense will be built in the trenches and on the ground with the passing game structured around what the team can do in the run game.
That's why Johnson plans to move quarterback Caleb Williams back under center and implement a lot more short reads and play-action shots into the playbook.
The important piece that makes that kind of strategy effective is having a strong, and consistent, run game. Something the Bears failed to show during the 2024 season.
According to Sports Info Solutions, the Bears' rushing attack last season ranked 29th in yards per attempt (4.0) and 23rd in EPA per attempt (-0.06). As it stands, the only addition made to the roster in the backfield was seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai, meaning Johnson plans to get the most out of D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson.
"Highly motivated group," Johnson said about the RB room when speaking to reporters on Thursday. "I know the perception out there is that maybe it's not the most talented room in the world. They like to hear that noise. We're going to be just fine."
Given pads won't come on until next Tuesday's practice, it's hard to get a feel on how the players in the backfield are really looking and who's showing up the most. Johnson did, however, have high praise for Swift since coming back for training camp.
"I think Swift has done a great job coming back from this summer. He's in great shape," Johnson explained. "He had some plays yesterday that weren't ideal, we might have had a guy unblocked in the hole, and yet he's able to extend it and make something happen beyond."
Reuniting with Johnson is going to do wonders for Swift's game and help change his own personal perception in this offense after signing a three-year deal last offseason. In his first season with the Bears, Swift posted a career-low 3.8 yards per attempt but still managed to total a career-high 1,345 scrimmage yards.
"He's not happy with how last year went for him," Johnson added. "Production-wise, team-wise, everything-wise. He's really motivated, he's really excited to help lead and spur this team forward. . . I see a very hungry individual."
Once pads come on, the Bears will be hoping to see the physical element out of this group with Johnson and Monangai specifically vying for the RB2 role behind Swift.
As for how exactly the run game will operate heading into the season, Johnson is taking a interesting approach from one of the top offenses of the 21st century.
Bears' Run Game Will Be Strategically Inconsistent
Given all the weapons at Johnson's disposal on the offensive side of the ball, finding consistent success on the ground won't have to be a top priority like it was in Detroit.
Stylistically, Johnson is still trying to figure out if his rushing attack in 2025 will be more wide zone or gap focused (or both), but when it comes to game-planning the run/pass split, he's taking a page out of the old New England Patriots' approach.
"Every game is its own entity. That's what I learned. I saw it for a number of years when I was in Miami. The New England Patriots were at the top of the league for so long and each week you just didn't know. They just continued to morph and they had their opponents guessing. You didn't know what [Josh] McDaniels was gonna do on offense. He might throw it 50 times, he might run it 50 times," Johnson explained.
"Standing from afar, seeing how dominant that was, I think that's a really good tactic to have. That's something I would like to do here as well. The elements play a role. Our talent plays a role. Who we're going against plays a role. It all plays a piece in the puzzle, and that's what's fun about each game week."
The Bears certainly have the talent all around the offense to take that kind of approach and make it work. There's a lot of mouths to feed on that unit and every game can look entirely different from the previous ones.
This kind of offensive mentality is a much needed breath of fresh air for this team compared to how the unit was structured last season. Ben Johnson is an offensive wizard and is going to put all of his guys in a position to succeed.
