NFC North Notebook: Bears Passing Woes, Lions Injury Update, and Vikings Offensive Reset
Chicago Bears: Winning despite the passing game
The Bears are stacking wins, but head coach Ben Johnson isn’t sugarcoating what’s holding them back - and it’s not hard to spot. The passing game just isn’t where it needs to be.
“We’re winning in spite of our passing game, not because of it,” Johnson said bluntly. And he’s not wrong.
The tape shows it, and Johnson is making sure his team knows it too. He pointed to a lack of discipline in route running - from improper depth to inconsistent footwork - and emphasized that everyone in the passing offense has a role to play in cleaning it up.
That includes the quarterback, receivers, and the staff calling the plays.
But make no mistake: Johnson isn't throwing his rookie quarterback under the bus. In fact, he went out of his way to clarify that Caleb Williams is progressing the way the team hoped.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with how he played last week,” Johnson said. “Forget the stats.
He’s managing the game well, he’s taking the coaching, and he’s applying it. That’s step one for a young quarterback.”
It’s a classic case of a young offense learning on the fly. The Bears are finding ways to win with defense and timely execution, but if they want to be more than a tough out in December, the passing attack has to evolve. And fast.
Detroit Lions: Kerby Joseph pushing through knee issue
Lions safety Kerby Joseph is battling through a lingering knee injury, but the good news is it’s not considered career-altering. According to reports, Joseph intends to return this season, and while he may not be at 100%, Detroit is hopeful he’ll be available down the stretch.
Joseph’s presence in the secondary has been a key piece for the Lions, especially with the defense showing signs of vulnerability in recent weeks. He brings range, instincts, and a knack for finding the football - all traits that don’t grow on trees. The team is expected to manage his workload carefully, and he’ll likely seek more aggressive treatment in the offseason.
For now, it’s about managing pain and staying ready. And for a Lions team with playoff aspirations, getting Joseph back on the field could be a difference-maker.
Minnesota Vikings: Offensive struggles spark coaching introspection
The Vikings have been grinding through growing pains at quarterback, and the results have been uneven at best. With rookies J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer taking turns under center, Minnesota’s offense has struggled to find rhythm - and head coach Kevin O’Connell is owning it.
O’Connell admitted he’s been too aggressive in his play calling, often dialing up concepts that may not align with where his young quarterbacks are in their development.
“What you’re seeing coverage-wise needs to take a backseat to what is the best thing for our offense in that moment,” O’Connell said. Translation: it’s not about what could work - it’s about what will work with the guys on the field right now.
Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips echoed that sentiment, putting the blame squarely on the coaching staff.
“This is not on the players,” Phillips said. “We’ve got to look at every call and ask ourselves if we’re putting these guys in the best position to succeed.”
It’s been a tough stretch for Minnesota, with lineup shuffles and a lack of continuity making it hard to establish any real offensive identity. But O’Connell is focused on finding solutions, not excuses.
“My job is to acknowledge the performance and coach it better,” he said. “We’ve got to stay true to our philosophy, but also adapt to what we have.”
That’s the challenge when you’re rolling with young quarterbacks - balancing development with competitiveness. The Vikings are still in the mix, but if they want to stay there, the offense needs to find stability soon.
Bottom Line:
The Bears are grinding out wins while their passing game lags behind.
The Lions are hoping to get one of their top defenders back in time for a playoff push. And the Vikings are in the middle of a reset, trying to find the right formula for a young, evolving offense.
December football is here, and for these NFC North teams, the margin for error is shrinking by the week.