Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson does hear what people are saying about him and his team.
As the Bears were still figuring out who would be the starting quarterback for Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he heard start at outside noise about the public writing off his team because they would be without starter Caleb Williams.
Well, the Bears went out and dominated the Eagles, 27-7, with third-string quarterback Case Keenum. After the game, Johnson was asked how he prepares for quarterbacks with different play styles. Keenum is more of a pocket passer, while Williams can extend plays.
Before Johnson answered the question, he smirked and said, “Well, I’ve got a little history with that of calling plays for someone not so mobile.” He also acknowledged that he doesn’t have a history of calling plays for someone who isn’t a first overall pick (Jared Goff 2016, Williams 2024). That was a national talking point, and the narrative reached Johnson.
Jared Goff responds to Bears HC Ben Johnson's comments
His comments about working with someone who isn’t mobile refer to Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Johnson called the offensive plays in Detroit for three seasons while the two were together.
Goff recently joined brothers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Equanimeous St. Brown on the St. Brown Podcast. Amon-Ra brought up Johnson’s comments to the Lions’ quarterback. Goff said Johnson didn’t have any “ill intent” with his comments and that Johnson is a “lightning rod” for anything he says at the podium.
Goff did say that Johnson called him about the mobile comments, saying it meant nothing, and the Lions’ quarterback said, “You’re good. Don’t worry about it.”
Instead of people focusing on Johnson allegedly calling out his former quarterback, the attention should be on Johnson hearing the outside criticism. As locked in and detail-oriented as Johnson is day-to-day, he still hears and sees what people say about him and his team.
That shouldn’t be seen as a negative, especially since Johnson has no issue proving people wrong. The latest example of that happened on Monday Night Football. Keenum dissected the Eagles’ defense, throwing for 247 yards and two passing touchdowns, proving Johnson can win with someone who isn’t a first-overall pick.
Read more: How Bears' defense is quietly near the top of NFL in turnovers (again)
Williams is known for keeping receipts from people who criticize everything that he does. Well, his head coach has a similar tendency. More than anything, the Bears are trying to prove themselves right and can do so by putting together another successful season.
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