Former Pro Bowl OL explains the underrated element that makes Ben Johnson’s offense so effective and fun to watch
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson’s offense is known for having a strong run game and generating explosive plays in the passing game, but the pride he takes in the offensive line is what makes his offense so effective.
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson’s name keeps rising up the list of top offensive play-callers in the NFL with a scheme that continues to produce elite numbers even after leaving a stacked cast of play-makers in Detroit.
In Chicago, Johnson still has plenty of weapons to use at his disposal and a young, exciting, quarterback leading the unit on the field. In one season, Johnson completely overhauled that unit with an offense built on the details and having a strong run game.
While everyone loves to watch the weapons work in this scheme, the real secret weapon is the pride and deliberate attention Johnson has with his offensive line.
Terron Armstead explains why the Chicago Bears offensive line is so effective under Ben Johnson
“I think it’s amazing what he’s able to do. He’s able to weaponize his offensive line,” former Pro Bowl offensive tackle Terron Armstead said, via FOX 32 Chicago. “He’s using them as weapons, as play-makers. A lot of the times as we talk about the play-makers on a team, you think receiver, receiver, tight end, running back. That’s four people, five people. Ben Johnson is allowing 11 people to be play-makers. That’s already advantageous for the Bears.”
Armstead’s assessment sounds simple enough, but he’s absolutely right when you watch Chicago’s offense, or you go back and watch Johnson’s offense in Detroit. His attention to detail extends to all 11 players on the offense and he finds any way he can to make all 11 players have a role and more importantly understand that role. It’s not just, hey go out there and block that defensive end.
Take right tackle Darnell Wright for example. He is literally used as a weapon for this offense with the way Johnson gets him out in space in front of the running backs and using Wright’s athleticism and power in an advantageous way.
“When you find different ways to motivate these guys, incentivize these guys, to do X, Y, and Z, he’s literally weaponizing,” Armstead added. “He’s allowing Darnell to get out in space and make a highlight. Which might not seem as flashy – it’s not a touchdown, it’s not a big first down – but it’s a key block. We celebrate it as a touchdown. It means a lot to us. So, he’s able to motivate these guys to make those highlights and make plays. It’s incredible.”
Ben Johnson simply understands how elite offensive line play is supposed to work
When the Bears hired Johnson, upgrading the offensive line was the first order of business to make that unit an elite-caliber front. Beyond the players, the team also needed a veteran offensive line coach to help bring out the best in that group.
Hiring Dan Roushar was one of Johnson’s best moves as the team’s head coach when it comes to his staff. Roushar’s explanation for why he decided to join the staff tells you all you need to know about Johnson and how he approaches his OL.
“I come for the interview and we sit and we start watching run game stuff. He’s the first guy that I’ve ever been around as a play-caller… he really understood what [the offensive line] was doing,” Roushar said on Armstead’s podcast back in February. “What combinations look like, why they occur, what the challenges were, what was an expectation, what they were looking for. Right away, when I left, I said ‘I can not only work for this guy, but we can thrive together.’ That was my impressions.”
Roushar added that Johnson had a “vision for greatness” at every offensive position that not all coaches have the ability to do. It’s no wonder why the offensive line in Detroit and Chicago was literally weapons under his watch and continue to be going into 2026.