As Ben Johnson built his resume as a head coaching candidate, his Detroit Lions' offenses were rooted in the run game and general efficiency, with a strong sprinkling of creative chops. He brought all of that with him to Chicago as the Bears' head coach, and it's exciting to wonder where things can go from there.
As expected, the Bears had one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL last season, third in yards per game (144.5) and yards per carry (4.9). Combined with a priority to bolster the offensive line during the 2025 season with Johnson's mind for scheme and formations, and that's the easy result.
While it's nice to grind opposing defenses into a pulp over and over with the marriage of an efficient run game and a passing game that supports it, the reality is that long scoring drives, say eight-to-10 or more plays, are rare. Explosive plays have to be attempted and hit once in a while, as the league's best offenses year after year have them in heavy dosage.
Press Taylor confirms Ben Johnson's mentality as an offensive playcaller
Bears offensive coordinator Press Taylor spoke to reporters before practice. He was asked about how much Johnson enjoys an efficient run game, perhaps more than any part of football.
"I would tell you, I don’t think Ben has ever mentioned the word efficiency", Taylor said. "We talk about explosive. We are trying to attack a defense. I think there’s a perception by a lot of people we’re going to run the ball, we’re going to stay efficient, we’re going to control the clock."
“We are looking to attack a defense. We’re looking to attack fronts, to expose space, to create run lanes, to create explosives.” Taylor continued. “I mean, we don’t look at the run game as a way to stay on track. We look at the run game as a way to attack defenses and really be explosive and continue to just put our foot on the gas the entire game.”
An explosive run play is defined as a gain of 10 or more yards. Per SFdata9ers on Twitter, the Bears had the second-best explosive rush rate in the NFL last season. They also had the seventh-best explosive pass play rate in the league, with that defined as pass plays gaining 20 or more yards.
During his time as Detroit's offensive coordinator, Johnson occasionally drew ire for, as Taylor put it, keeping his "foot on the gas the entire game." That critique didn't really happen last season, with lots of close games taking that element of "running up the score" away, but it may be coming if the Bears' offense comes together like it could this season.
Read more: Sam Roush's rookie season role in Bears' offense is interestingly lined up
When it comes to Johnson's mentality as a play caller, which we really didn't even need Taylor to confirm, cue the Ivan Drago in Rocky IV "I will break you" GIFs and memes.
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