The Chicago Bears knew what they had to do. If they wanted to maximize Caleb Williams as a quarterback, they would have to find a head coach who could get the most out of him. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson had crafted one of the league’s most prolific units over the past three years, elevating Jared Goff to near-MVP levels. Chicago made sure he was their target from the outset. However, some were skeptical of the move. While Johnson’s reputation was well-deserved, they had reservations about how Williams would fit in a pure drop-back system as he ran with Goff.
Johnson decided to set the record straight on that. He did an interview with the Bears media team for the first episode of 1920 Football Drive. In it, he details how he plans to approach the offense in Chicago. One thing he made clear right from the start is that he won’t be bringing the Lions offense with him from Detroit. He plans to build a new system tailored to the specific talents of Williams.
Ben Johnson doesn’t seem intimidated by the challenge.
That shouldn’t be a surprise. After all, what he ran in Detroit wasn’t any specific system. It is believed to have been an amalgamation of various schemes he’d grown familiar with during his NFL career, focused on plays that fit what Goff did best. Safe to say it worked beautifully. Williams is the same type of quarterback. He is much more of a shotgun-oriented passer who is at his best when able to get outside the pocket and make plays. Ben Johnson must learn to harness that ability while working to help expand the quarterback’s game. That is what Kansas City did with Patrick Mahomes. Johnson’s diverse background makes him uniquely qualified for this task, unlike Matt Nagy, who grew up in only one system.
@luapgnik – I agree 110% about the over hyping of the season, it seems to be a curse for Bears fan, same thing every single year.
The team is really hyped during training camp and preseason only to start the regular season as the……Well the Gummy Bears, so sick of it…!
Sallie, you are really full of yourself. And full of shit.
It’s both wise and common sense that you create an offensive system with the special techniques and dynamics that actually fit the personnel at your command, not the players that you once had under your control. When different players emerge, then you can adapt the system to them. The players might have to make some minor adjustments as they and the system evolve. But you want a realistic symbiotic relationship that wins games consistently by optimizing the players own potential. That was always my coaching philosophy in different sports and competitions. My record would speak for itself.
What’s good is I don’t have to hear who his mentors were. He can draw his own plays up in the dirt. It’s not like football is rocket science. Thing is that some football people only specialize in one thing and if they do that well people think they can be a head coach. Some people are leaders, who can see the whole picture, and know how to surround themselves with people they know that will help them. Some don’t have a clue.
I see the hype going into overdrive. Similar to last season. Let’s not have the same devastating letdown.