One thing that has become apparent about the new Chicago Bears head coach, Ben Johnson, is that he isn't afraid to speak his mind. Sure, like any man in his position, he is careful with details about schemes and the like. Yet when it comes to discussing whether or not he'll do something, he doesn't seem to mind admitting it. He's already been up front about his plans for Caleb Williams. The style of offense he used in Detroit won't be what the Bears put together in Chicago. Williams and Jared Goff are not the same type of quarterback.
One area fans have wondered if Johnson would bring with him is his gadgetry. The coach developed a reputation with the Lions for being particularly obsessed with utilizing trick plays. His now-infamous Stumblebum play from last season that caught the Bears completely off guard was one of the best in recent memory. Has he been plotting similar dastardly actions for the 2025 season? Yes, yes, he has. Johnson admitted as much last month. It seems he plans to use training camp as tryouts, looking for unexpected names who can do one of two things.
Catch the ball or throw it.
“I let those guys know we only do this once a year, and it’s an evaluation. We’ll circle back in training camp and in the season to see who we can trust to catch the ball or throw the ball. I think there’s a couple guys on the O-line that stood out.”
Ben Johnson is a mad scientist.
That much has become obvious over the past three years. If there were an NFL version of Dr. Moreau, it would be him. He is willing to try almost anything, no matter how crazy it may seem on paper. The last thing you want to do is squash that sort of creativity. It can often lead to essential, championship-winning moments. Everybody remembers Sean Payton calling the surprise onside kick in 2009. Philadelphia ran the Philly Special in 2017. Having the right call with the right personnel, mixed with the element of surprise, often defines seasons. Where does the 2001 team end up with that fake field goal to Brian Urlacher, or the 1985 team without a play action pass to the Fridge in Green Bay? Ben Johnson knows the impact those moments can have.
