Chicago Bears’ Transformation Under Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson has made a significant impact on the Chicago Bears in his first season as head coach. With three games left, he has already doubled the team’s victories from last year. The Bears are now eyeing a playoff spot, and if they manage to beat Green Bay at home in Week 16—who, by the way, will be without Micah Parsons—they could secure a postseason position as high as No. 2.
This season, the Bears have been pulling off nail-biting wins, but Sunday’s 31-3 rout of the struggling Cleveland Browns was different. It highlighted what this team is capable of achieving. The defense snagged three interceptions, the running game excelled, and Caleb Williams delivered some memorable passes. Williams threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns, with his second touchdown throw being particularly notable—likely to be remembered as one of the year’s best plays.
During a first-and-10 play from Cleveland’s 22-yard line, Williams evaded pressure and tossed a strike into the end zone just before being hit. At first glance, it seemed like a wasted attempt, yet it found Bears wide receiver DJ Moore, with the ball somehow slipping past two Browns defenders. Honestly, it’s hard to believe anyone besides Williams and Moore thought that pass could work.
A different angle provided by local Fox’s Jeff Willas shows just how remarkable that throw was. It begs the question: How did a defender not intercept that? Cleveland’s defense looked set to nail Williams, but he demonstrated an impressive knack for improvisation, extending plays until he found an open target. His arm strength—arguably the best in the league outside of Josh Allen—allowed him to launch that ball through a tight window to Moore.
There are some great visual highlights of the play, showcasing both broadcast and NFL film edits.
After the game, Williams reflected on that touchdown throw, offering a thoughtful response.
The Bears have relied heavily on their defense and run game historically, and that trend continues. While their pass rush may not be top-notch, the transformation in their passing game hints at the beginning of a promising era. Williams, while still developing, expertly avoids interceptions, has notably decreased his sack counts, and can create exceptional plays when it counts most.
He’s getting support from emerging young receivers like Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, and Roman Odunze, along with the dependable DJ Moore, who helps keep the chains moving. The passing game still has room for improvement, but Johnson’s play designs resonate well with young quarterbacks. This particular play was perfectly suited for second-year Williams, and the Bears genuinely believe this is just the start of something even more dynamic ahead.
