Before I get too snarky here, I just want to say: I get it. I really do. For years and years and years, Bears media has had to deal with some of the dopiest coaches (and GMs) that the city has had to offer. With each new coach – whether it was Marc Trestman, Matt Nagy, or Matt Eberflus – there have been hundreds of press conferences that have, actually, made everyone dumber. It's no one's fault, really, but if you wanted to blame someone, I guess you could blame *Ted Phillips' redacted name.*
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But you'd think that professional media members who, for the most part, have extremely Been There Before would know a thing or two about how hot mics work. You'd imagine, in theory, that they are well aware that their weird little side comments probably should wait until they're back at their desk in the media center, and not in the press conference room that has, quite literally, dozens of cameras and microphones.
You'd imagine, at least.
What in the WORLD is happening at the end of this Ben Johnson press conference?
Did someone say “I love this guy” lmaooo pic.twitter.com/tBxkbn4irE
— Albaro (@martinez3594) May 21, 2025
[Deep, exasperated sigh] What are we doing here, gang? Is Chicago really that starved for a little charm? It is OTAs. O-T-As. There is nothing to learn or love from OTAs. I think they exist solely to give media members something to do after the draft. It's not that this is all that unprofessional, it's just super weird – though I'm not sure how much better that is in this instance. Are we really professing our love for Ben Johnson (twice!) after the last answer of a press conference in mid-May? I mean, we obviously are, but my insulting rhetorical question still stands.
Can we just not be weird? Or the very least, can we be a little more aware of our surroundings when we're being weird? Are you going to love Ben Johnson when he hits you with that 'next question' after the Bears' 24-3 loss to the Saints?
The offseason is an important time for everyone. Ben Johnson needs to learn how to be a head coach, the Bears need to learn how to pass block, and the Bears media needs to learn how to not be super weird just because Johnson, like, repeats your name back to you in his answer. At least we all have something to work on before the season starts.