Ben Johnson isn’t feeding the Eagles any extra bulletin-board material before Monday Night Football.
That’s been the tone from the Chicago Bears’ head coach as his team gets ready for a tough matchup at Soldier Field, and it makes sense given the circumstances. Chicago is preparing to deal with the loss of Caleb Williams, and Johnson has taken the steady route: praise the opponent, keep the focus inside the building, and avoid saying anything that could sharpen Philadelphia’s edge.
“It’s a good football team, Sirianni always has those guys ready to go, and year in, year out, they’re Super Bowl contenders. I know we’ll be excited about getting this taste out of our mouths.
Monday Night Football, Soldier Field again, really good opponent, there’s a lot playing into this game. Looking forward to getting into the tape, putting a nice, strong plan together, and having our guys playing fast and sound football”
Ben Johnson
That’s the kind of answer that fits a coach in Johnson’s spot. He doesn’t need to talk big.
He doesn’t need to poke at the opponent. He just has to keep the Bears pointed in the right direction while they sort through who will actually be under center.
Right now, the biggest question is whether Case Keenum or Tyson Bagent gets the nod in Week 3. Williams still looms as a possibility thanks to the extra day of rest, but the expectation seems to be that Philadelphia won’t be facing him.
That would be a sensible call for the Bears, especially with the Eagles’ defensive line waiting on the other side. Asking Williams to return against that kind of front would be a risky move. Chicago can afford to take this one on the chin and still keep control of its season moving forward.
Johnson’s job, though, doesn’t change. The Bears still need a plan, and they still need to attack the game with purpose. The hope is that Chicago can come out aggressive and creative enough to make Philadelphia work, particularly if the Eagles aren’t quite locked in the same way they would be with Williams on the field.
Monday night also gives Bears fans a chance to keep an eye on the rest of the NFC North while waiting for more injury news to come in. For now, Johnson is playing it exactly right: respect the opponent, keep the message clean, and get his team ready to compete.
In Other News...
Former Bears Are Giving Fans Fresh Ammo In The Ryan Poles Debate
The early part of the NFL season has offered Bears fans a familiar kind of uncomfortable spotlight: a look back at former players now trying to make their mark elsewhere. Through two weeks, several ex-Chicago contributors have already shown up in meaningful ways, with Gervon Dexter Sr. making noise as a pass rusher for the Atlanta Falcons and Jaquan Brisker drawing attention for a mixed start in coverage with the Pittsburgh Steelers. For a fan base still measuring the roster-building era under Ryan Poles, those updates land with a little extra sting.
The larger point is less about one player's success or another's inconsistency than what these early returns say about the Bears' recent personnel decisions. Some former Chicago players have stepped into bigger roles, some have battled through uneven stretches, and all of it adds fuel to the ongoing debate over how Poles has managed talent and turnover. It is still early, but the way these ex-Bears are performing elsewhere is already giving Chicago supporters plenty to chew on. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Have A New Opening In Any Future Maxx Crosby Pursuit
Maxx Crosby has been on the Bears radar before, and the conversation around him has only grown a little more interesting after his recent comments about Caleb Williams. Chicago reportedly inquired about the Raiders star last season, and now there is at least one more layer to file away: Crosby said on a recent podcast that he has respect for Williams, a small but notable detail for a player who has already been tied to trade speculation.
For the Bears, any future pursuit would still hinge on much more than mutual admiration. Crosby once sought a trade out of Las Vegas, but he remains with the Raiders as they opened the season 2-0, which means there is no immediate opening. Still, when a player of his caliber is already on Chicagos list and speaks positively about the quarterback, it is the kind of thread front offices tend to remember. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Suddenly Have A Week 3 Question They Couldnt Afford
The Bears first Week 3 injury report brought an immediate dose of concern after a practice week that already had the feel of a squeeze. Caleb Williams appeared on the report with a hamstring injury and did not practice, while backup quarterback Tyson Bagent also sat out as he remains in concussion protocol. Chicago had already been navigating a roster with other names popping up on the report, including Kyle Monangai, Cairo Santos and Tyrique Stevenson, leaving the team with several moving parts at once.
For a Bears offense still trying to find its rhythm, the quarterback situation is the part that matters most. Williams availability will drive the entire weeks conversation, but Bagents status adds another layer because it affects the depth behind him if the team needs insurance. With so many players either out or limited, Week 3 is suddenly less about game plan and more about whether Chicago can get enough bodies back on the field to feel comfortable going into Sunday. [Read more 🡒]