All articles tagged with #ben johnson
Bears coach Ben Johnson told The Athletic he wants to build the NFL’s highest-scoring offense ever, aiming to surpass the 2013 Denver Broncos’ 37.9 points per game, while noting that breaking scoring records doesn’t guarantee a Super Bowl and that winning remains the ultimate goal.
Dan Pompei follows Bears head coach Ben Johnson through a 14-hour training-camp day at Halas Hall, capturing his relentless energy, exacting preparation, and evolving leadership as he balances offensive vision with game management, staff collaboration, and player development, all while pursuing a high-scoring offense, improved toughness, and guiding quarterback Caleb Williams.
Bears coach Ben Johnson says he aims to break the NFL single-season points record in 2026, targeting the 2013 Denver Broncos’ 37.9 PPG; to achieve that, Chicago would likely lean toward a more pass-heavy attack with Caleb Williams and rely on weapons like Colston Loveland, D’Andre Swift, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden after a 2025 season that ranked 9th in points per game.
The Chicago Bears held a largely unscripted training-camp practice at Halas Hall on Tuesday, with the offense and defense trading competitive reps in a back-and-forth session that gave coach Ben Johnson useful insight into the roster.
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson is prioritizing a sharper end-of-half, two-minute offense after last season's struggles, using training-camp drills that produced an 8-play, 61-yard touchdown drive led by Caleb Williams (6-for-7, 55 yards) with a key Loveland catch. Johnson says there are concrete ideas to improve end-of-half execution to steal possessions and carry momentum into halftime, addressing a historical gap where the team excelled late but lagged before halftime.
At Bears training camp, coach Ben Johnson answered Liam Coen’s comment as Chicago works to shore up slower first halves, despite showing strong late-game situational football, with Johnson underscoring a continued focus on fundamentals and adjustments to improve starts.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson says he has significantly improved his play-calling and is coordinating a revamped offense around QB Caleb Williams, aiming to get the ball to a weapons group led by Luther Burden, Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet in 2026 after Chicago won the NFC North.
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson says he’s “buying Luther Burden stock” after an electric offseason, signaling confidence in Burden’s Year 2 as he develops his route running and speed. Burden, who had 752 scrimmage yards as a rookie and a 138-yard game against the 49ers, is stepping into a larger role with DJ Moore traded to Buffalo. With Burden, Rome Odunze and others in the mix, the Bears aim to leverage his improved play in 2026 as Johnson and QB Caleb Williams push him to play faster with less thinking.
With DJ Moore moving on, Bears rookie-turned-second-year receiver Luther Burden III is positioned for a bigger role in 2026. Burden highlighted his offseason work, learning from Moore, and the belief that he can elevate his play, while head coach Ben Johnson signaled confidence in his development. Burden’s comments emphasize a focus on Week 1 readiness and continuing to win as he matures into a potential top target in the Bears’ offense.
The piece notes the Bears’ surprising 11-6, NFC North–winning 2025 season and the widespread belief they’ll regress in 2026 due to a brutal schedule and roster turnover, including key departures. It argues, however, that Williams’ second year in Johnson’s offense, improved health, and a favorable travel schedule could help Chicago defy pessimistic projections and even chase another playoff run.
The Bears used three Day 2 picks to bolster their offense, selecting Iowa center Logan Jones to back up and potentially seize the starting role, Stanford tight end Sam Roush as a versatile inline/off-ball option, and LSU returner Zavion Thomas to add speed and a kick-return threat, all in line with Ben Johnson’s offensive philosophy. While the offense gets a boost and added competition, Chicago still faces defensive questions ahead of Day 3 as they hope to improve the roster depth.
Caleb Williams capped a record-breaking 2025 season for the Chicago Bears with 3,941 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, seven interceptions, seven fourth-quarter comebacks, a division title, and a playoff win over Green Bay. After the season, Bears coach Ben Johnson pulled Williams aside and warned that the standard will be higher and the work tougher, and Williams responded with a firm “let’s do it.” Johnson argues that only relentless, championship-level coaching yields a true Super Bowl quarterback, and Williams—now in his second year in the same offense with more surrounding talent—appears ready to embrace that challenge.
The Chicago Bears promote passing game coordinator Press Taylor to offensive coordinator, replacing Declan Doyle who left for the Ravens. Taylor, 38, will not call plays in Chicago but will work with Ben Johnson to install the game plan as Chicago aims to sustain their offense with a young core led by Caleb Williams and a surrounding group of playmakers.
Ben Johnson said the Bears’ offseason focus must be on fundamentals, especially catching the football, after a season marred by drops that cost opportunities for Caleb Williams and the offense. With 34 drops by Bears receivers (playoffs included) and air-yard losses tied to drops, the team is pushing to turn good throws into completions and points, emphasizing accountability and refinement as they prepare for 2026.
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson says he’s locked in on the 2026 season after the team’s division title and first playoff win in 15 years, stressing a reset rather than celebrating, as the organization looks ahead to next year.