The Chicago Bears have been plagued by two issues this season. They can't score consistently in the red zone, and they are the second-most penalized team per game in the NFL this season. It is hard to win football games when this is the case. Head coach Ben Johnson has tried several methods to get it cleaned up. He has officials at practice to call drills like simulated games. He's increased discipline and intensity to keep guys sharp. Most recently, he called out the team leaders not once but twice in the media, telling them they need to hold themselves and their teammates more accountable.
It hasn't stopped there. Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle stated that the coaching staff is using some "unorthodox" methods to fix the penalty problems. There are plenty of examples of this going back years. One coach installed a spinning wheel with exercises that players had to do if they made a mistake. A source told SM that one of the methods involved with the Bears is that every player who commits a penalty is required to help pay for team meals. Coaches are no longer allowed to fine players directly due to the CBA, so this is a way around that.
Time will tell if it has an effect.
Most of the Chicago Bears' woes are along the offensive line.
Of those 64 penalties committed so far, 17 have come from their blocking units. This is why the Chicago Bears have the longest average distance to go on 3rd down at 8.1 yards. No wonder it's so difficult for them to sustain drives. It stands to reason they'll start scoring more points if they can limit the mistakes. Unfortunately, this is often what happens when players learn a new system. Ben Johnson is installing an offense notorious for being complex and difficult to digest. Then again, it may come down to the quarterback.
Detroit didn't have significant penalty issues in 2022 during Johnson's first year as their offensive coordinator. They had Jared Goff, a veteran quarterback who understood how to speak the diverse language of NFL offenses. Williams doesn't have that advantage. As a result, he's likely making mistakes pre-snap that lead to cadence issues, and these cadence issues, in turn, lead to penalties. It's a complex issue that isn't easy to fix, but that hasn't stopped the Bears from trying.
