Ben Johnson’s offense in Chicago is not built to tiptoe. If Press Taylor’s read is any indication, the Bears’ head coach is still chasing the same thing he was known for in Detroit: pressure, pace and plays that hit hard.
Taylor addressed Johnson’s approach before practice and pushed back on the idea that the Bears are content to lean on “efficiency” and squeeze the clock. In his words, that’s not the point of the offense at all.
"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."
Taylor made the message even clearer when he explained how the run game is being used.
“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.”
That fits the way Johnson built his reputation before arriving in Chicago. As a head coaching candidate, his Detroit offenses were known for strong run-game structure, efficiency and a creative edge. He brought that same approach with him to the Bears, and the results showed last season.
Chicago finished third in the NFL in rushing yards per game at 144.5 and third in yards per carry at 4.9. The Bears also spent the 2025 season working to strengthen the offensive line, pairing that investment with Johnson’s scheme and formations.
The explosive element matters just as much. A run of 10 or more yards counts as an explosive run play, and per SFdata9ers on Twitter, the Bears had the second-best explosive rush rate in the NFL last season. They also ranked seventh in explosive pass play rate, with that number defined as pass plays of 20 or more yards.
Taylor’s comments also line up with the way Johnson has been viewed as a playcaller. During his time as Detroit’s offensive coordinator, he sometimes drew criticism for keeping his "foot on the gas the entire game." That wasn’t as much of a talking point last season, when tighter games took some of the heat out of that discussion, but it could come back around if Chicago’s offense performs the way it seems capable of doing.
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