Former All Pro’s ‘love-hate relationship’ with Bears HC Ben Johnson proves how frustrating his offense can be for opposing defenses
He’s a tough play-caller to defend against.
As the Chicago Bears turn the page to the regular season, everyone is amped up to see what this offense really looks like under head coach Ben Johnson, because you know he was hiding his hand during the three preseason games.
Johnson’s offense is a highly-detailed and ever-changing scheme. It’s tough for the players to learn and operate on the field (as we’ve learned the last few weeks), but it’s even tougher to defend against for opposing teams.
Just look at what former linebacker Eric Kendricks had to say about his time facing a Johnson-led unit.
“Ben Johnson, it’s a love-hate relationship,” Kendricks said on Good Morning Football. “I feel like, you appreciate playing against him, but you also hate it because the game plan’s always changing. He makes adjustments by the quarter, by the drive, by the half. You’re kind of forced to chase it around to see where you’re going.”
Simply put, Ben Johnson’s offense puts some of the league’s best defenders into the blender, which is exactly what you would want to hear going into this season and it lines up with what Johnson has been saying about building his offense.
This new scheme Johnson plans to run in Chicago is going to be unlike anything we’ve ever seen with all the different weapons he has to adapt the game plan.
“It’s been a little overwhelming for some particular players,” Johnson said earlier this month. “I think guys are starting to get a little better feel for it and they’re settling in. This has been the plan from the get-go is that, we don’t know who we’re going to be on offense. By design, we gave a lot so we can determine what we want to do and which direction we want to go.”
Earlier in the offense, Johnson noted he’s been taking inspiration from Josh McDaniels’ offense during the dynasty run with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots where “every game is its own entity.” Meaning the team could have an offense that runs 50+ times a game, or passes 50+ times a game.
It’s a dominant way to build your offense and a good tactic if you’re smart enough to pull it off. From his time in Detroit and what he’s shown this summer in Chicago, Johnson is certainly capable of making a headache-inducing scheme that can look different each time his players hit the field.
It’s going to be exciting to watch unfold in 2025.
Chicago Bears News
Bears are exploring whether an offensive lineman the team would otherwise cut could instead bring back a late-round draft pick
It’s worth a shot.
