Ben Johnson’s Wednesday remarks left little doubt: the Bears are not treating 5-2 as a reason to settle in and coast.
After an extra stretch to review what Chicago showed in its win over New England, Johnson said the coaching staff took a hard look at the offense’s tendencies, personnel usage and whether the unit has actually grown into the identity it expected before the season.
There was no spin in his answer. Johnson said, "There's a lot of room for improvement in the running game and in the passing game as well," and added, "I'm not going to divulge, but there's, I think, there's a lot more to be had."
That’s the bigger message here. This isn’t about an offense that can’t function.
The Bears have moved the ball, scored points and put together productive drives. The question Johnson seems to be asking is more specific: are they getting the most out of the pieces and concepts already in place?
That kind of self-scouting can get uncomfortable fast. It’s easy to study an opponent and pick apart its tells.
It’s a different thing entirely to realize your own offense may be becoming too easy to read. Defensive coordinators live for that stuff - personnel groupings, down-and-distance clues, formation patterns that tip what’s coming next.
If Chicago is giving away too much, Johnson has to fix it before someone else does.
The run game, in particular, has become a moving target. Kyle Monangai’s absence has forced the Bears to adjust in the backfield, and they haven’t consistently matched the rushing production they were getting earlier in the year.
At the same time, Caleb Williams appears to be settling deeper into Johnson’s passing game. Johnson said Williams is getting the ball out quicker, making better decisions and creating more chances for receivers to do damage after the catch. He also singled out Williams’ improved ball placement Wednesday, especially on throws designed to create yards after the reception.
That kind of development matters because it gives the Bears room to grow. Williams can be asked to do more without losing the improvisational edge that makes him dangerous in the first place. The challenge is sorting out where the line is between structure and creativity.
Johnson, by his own comments, is still trying to find it.
That makes Sunday’s matchup with Seattle a little more interesting. The Seahawks are not the type of defense you’d want to face while experimenting with answers.
Johnson praised their ability to generate pressure with four rushers while dropping extra bodies into coverage, a combination that can smother explosive passing games. He also pointed to their knack for forcing three and outs, which can prevent an offense from ever getting into a rhythm.
Chicago won’t have the luxury of spending multiple possessions searching for comfort.
The advantage, if there is one, is that Johnson has had time to dig into the film without the usual quick turnaround. If he spotted tendencies that have started to work against the Bears, Seattle could be the first place we see how he plans to answer them.
That doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul. Sometimes the fix is as simple as running a familiar concept from a different look. Sometimes it’s about changing who gets the chance to touch the ball.
What matters is that Johnson has already shown he’s willing to rethink things when they need rethinking.
The Bears have won enough to feel good about where they are. Johnson’s comments made it clear he’s still aiming higher than that.
If he’s right, Chicago may have another gear waiting. If he’s not, Seattle’s defense may be more than happy to prove it.
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One possible target already came off the board, narrowing the list of available impact players and raising the urgency around Chicagos search. The Bears are still being linked to other defensive reinforcements as they assess whether the current roster is close enough to justify a move, and that decision may end up saying as much about the franchises timeline as it does about the player they land. [Read more 🡒]