Ben Johnson explains the creation of the Cole Kmet trick play in Week 9 and it showcases some of his brilliance in designing plays
He’s always looking for ways to gain an edge on offense.
The Chicago Bears had an offensive explosion in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals and man did they need all 47 points and 576 yards of offense to pull off the win.
Head coach Ben Johnson was brilliant with the play-calling for the unit in attacking a struggling Bengals defense and his unit is finally starting to hit a groove. The run game rumbled for 283 yards led by rookie Kyle Monangai in his first start while quarterback Caleb Williams accounted for 355 total yards (passing, rushing, AND receiving) with four total touchdowns.
The game plan was a sound one for Chicago and even included some trademark Ben Johnson trick plays, although he doesn’t prefer that term for his special designed plays. Regardless, some of those plays worked out, and some did not. While speaking about those specific plays, Johnson showcased some of his brilliance when it comes to designing plays.
Ben Johnson explains one of the trick play designs he tried to use in Week 9
“For the most part, I would say they’re a weekly basis for us because of something that we see on tape,” Johnson said while doing an exclusive interview with Jeff Joniak. “Some of them do get carried over if we feel like they still apply. But, yeah, we got a handful of them. It can be anywhere from three to five to eight, it just kinda depends on the week and the situation.”
It’s hard to know exactly how many plays from Sunday’s game would count as a “trick play” but three specific ones come to mind. The first involved a direct snap to tight end Cole Kmet, who then pitched it left to Williams. Williams ran to his left, stopped, and threw it back to Kmet. Kmet then chucked it downfield to wide receiver Rome Odunze, but the pass unfortunately fell incomplete.
“I just happened to see [Kmet] on Thursday, it’s routes on air, he caught a ball down the field and he’s running back and he threw it to our equipment guy and I was like ‘oh wow,’” Johnson explained. “I ended up drawing something on my script… We just took it an ran with it… That’s when I knew that I gotta call this. I actually debated calling it first play of the game or not.”
Johnson went on to note on Friday, Kmet threw a pass over 60 yards in the air “on the money” practicing that play. So, consider it something the Bears try to draw up again in the future.
The second designed “trick play” came later on that drive on a play Williams called “hot potato” while speaking with the media after the game. On the play, Williams handed the ball off to the left to Odunze motioning behind him. Odunze then handed back to wide receiver DJ Moore who threw the ball back to Williams wide open for a touchdown. It’s a similar play the Philadelphia Eagles made famous with Nick Foles in Super Bowl LII.
The other notable one came early in the fourth quarter. Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent snuck on to the field and lined up out wide to the right in a trips formation. Williams threw it to Bagent on a screen and then Bagent threw it back to Williams, creating a misdirection for the defense resulting in a 20-yard catch and run for Williams.
Johnson is clearly having fun with these play calls but, at the same time, there’s a method to his madness. He’s not just drawing up plays in the sand like it’s recess. He’s deliberate with these designs based on what he’s seeing in practice and while watching the opposing defense throughout the week. He’s a madman and it’s awesome to watch when it comes to fruition.
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