Bears Coach Ben Johnson’s Ambitious Goals
Ben Johnson has made his ambitions clear as he enters his second season as the head coach of the Chicago Bears. In a recent profile, he expressed that he desires more than just a Super Bowl win; he aims to establish the highest-scoring offense in NFL history.
“You’ve got 31 other teams coming to training camp saying, ‘Our goal is to win the Super Bowl,’” he stated. “I want more than that. I want to have the highest-scoring offense ever, which happens to be the 2013 Denver Broncos. I know how many points per game they scored (37.9), and I want to surpass them. I want shutouts. I want blowouts.”
Such confidence is unusual, especially from a Bears coach. Historically, Bears football has revolved around formidable defenses, often hindered by underwhelming quarterbacks. Mentioning Sid Luckman, who remains the franchise’s best QB despite his first pass coinciding with the start of World War II, still causes reactions from fans. Since Luckman, the Bears have cycled through numerous quarterbacks, most of whom have struggled with the forward pass.
So, it was quite a surprise when the Bears’ offense racked up 59 points in their season opener against the Carolina Panthers.
For fans under 46, this was the highest-scoring game they’ve ever seen, as the team has only three games with higher scores in its long history, the last occurring in 1980. Their eight touchdowns were the most by any NFL team in the past three years, and their total of 552 yards ranks fourth in the team’s history. However, it’s worth noting that Johnson previously led the team to 576 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals last season.
After the game, players focused on how they could have scored even more. Some, like Swift, pointed out that penalties disrupted their flow, while Williams confidently stated that this should be the worst the offense performs all year.
Looking back to Williams’ rookie season, the Bears didn’t score their 59th point until Week 4. His debut against the Titans in 2024 saw him throw for just 93 yards with zero touchdowns, relying instead on special teams for the win. It prompted doubt about any real progress for the Bears, even after landing him with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
The arrival of Johnson seemed to change the trajectory for Williams. Although it took time for them to gel, they enjoyed a surprising turnaround last season, culminating in seven comeback victories. By the season’s end, Williams was making exceptional plays, including a game-winning touchdown against the Packers and a dramatic Hail Mary to clinch a playoff spot.
Many thought the Bears might take a step back this season. Phrases like “turnover regression” were often mentioned, and even Johnson noted this concern as motivation. Williams, who completed only 58% of his passes last season, raised eyebrows among some fans. While some criticized his tendency to miss simple throws, Johnson remained optimistic, recognizing Williams’ ability to avoid interceptions and create explosive plays.
Completion percentage through the season can sometimes be misleading, as evidenced by Drake Maye’s performance in Week 1. He completed 70% of his passes, yet did not impress overall. Williams certainly had his struggles last year, but those weren’t indicative of his potential. With his talent, there seems to be no limit to what he and the Bears offense can achieve if they put it all together this season.
In Week 1, Williams showcased all the signs of a franchise quarterback. His completion rate was impressive (72.4%), plus he displayed swift decision-making and superb evasion abilities. There’s no doubt he possesses remarkable arm strength and speed. As he continues refining his skills, he’s likely to dominate the game.
Additionally, the Bears demonstrated a powerful rushing game, accumulating 291 yards and six touchdowns. The offensive line features strong players like Darnell Wright, Jonah Jackson, and the standout Joe Thuney. With Swift and Monangai as strong running back options, the team appeared balanced and effective. Johnson’s emphasis on downfield blocking has fostered a mentality of pride among the receivers.
After their victory, Johnson reiterated his ambitions for a high-scoring offense, and Williams echoed that sentiment in his post-game remarks. To keep up with their defense—which is expected to struggle, as evidenced by allowing 37 points to the Panthers—they’ll likely need to score frequently. Realistically, they might not feel secure until they hit the 50-point mark in games.
Future challenges will arise, particularly regarding defense and pass rush effectiveness, but as long as they can handle the run, the offense will stay productive. There’s a genuine chance they can become an elite offensive unit.
For Bears fans, this shift has been quite dramatic. The days of unexciting, low-scoring games appear to be behind them. This season could be filled with exciting shootouts instead of the frustrating games they once endured.
While there are still uncertainties surrounding the team’s Super Bowl prospects, it’s fair to recognize that Johnson and Williams form a promising coach-quarterback duo. That in itself is probably the most critical element for the future.
In their Week 1 performance, the Bears revealed what fans have always hoped for but seldom witnessed. Remarkably, it seems this time it really is not just too good to be true.
