Ben Johnson has shown himself to be a good coach and play caller through the first six games of the Chicago Bears' season. However, as the Bears are starting to win, we are getting an even better look at how good of an actual head coach Johnson is.
Chicago Bears head coach showing legitimate leadership
The Bears' poor drive right before the half led to the New Orleans Saints scoring points and regaining momentum. Johnson had many ways to pass off the blame in his answer, potentially, but, as any smart head coach would, he admitted that the problem with that sequence was on himself.
"I didn't think I did a good job of calling plays in that sequence. I'm very very aware of not wanting to give the ball back to the opponent with enough time for a rebuttal drive. I don't think I did the defense any favors with those play calls."
Johnson got aggressive when leading before the half, and it ended up letting the Saints back into the game. Still, at the time and circumstance, it did make sense. Johnson could have worked some clock, but the Bears were in a position where they could have been aggressive.
If they executed the play, the team would have picked up a first down, the clock would have run, and the blowout would have continued. It was less a poor play and more of an issue with execution.
More than that, the defense still had the Saints pinned deep. A great punt put them inside the ten, and the defense allowed a few big completions to let them back into the game.
Johnson will tell you that the defense should not have been on the field for that play to occur. Still, the head coach is going out of his way to ensure he takes responsibility.
Johnson could have mentioned that the quarterback needs to throw a better pass, or he expects the defense to hold a team when they are inside the ten, but he only blamed himself.
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This is the leadership that goes beyond playcalling, and it will resonate with the team. We have seen coaches pass the blame in the past, and the players wonder about accountability. Johnson is showing that while he demands a lot of the players, it is because he demands just as much from himself.