Ben Johnson: The Bears Genius Reshaping NFL Offense — SkimNews
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- Ben Johnson has the Bears offense ranked first in the NFL in total yards (429 per game) and rushing yards (196.3 per game) through the first four weeks of the 2026 season
- The Chicago Bears went 2-0 without starting quarterback Caleb Williams (hamstring injury), beating the Philadelphia Eagles 27-7 behind Case Keenum (24-of-34, 247 yards, 2 TDs) and the New York Jets 23-12 behind Tyson Bagent (25-of-34, 268 yards, 1 INT)
- Johnson's scheme is a variant of the Shanahan motion-fuelled play-action zone-run system designed to create "horizontal and diagnosis stress" on defenses before the snap
- Before Chicago, Johnson served as offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, where he revived quarterback Jared Goff's career and fielded what the article calls the most creative offense in football
- The Bears had won just one playoff game since 2006 before Johnson's 2025 arrival, then captured the NFC North title, beat the Packers in the playoffs, and took two of three from Green Bay last season
- Johnson has leaned into unorthodox tactics, including using offensive linemen as receivers in Detroit and lining up both Keenum and Bagent in the same formation on the opening drive against the Jets
Why it matters: The Bears had won just one playoff game since 2006 before Johnson arrived in 2025; in his first season they won the NFC North and beat the Packers in the playoffs. With Williams sidelined, his backups led back-to-back wins while the offense still ranked first in the NFL in total yards (429 per game) and rushing (196.3 per game), drawing direct comparisons to Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay.
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