Ben Johnson has established himself as one of the best offensive minds of this era. After dominating in Detroit for three years, he carried that success over to the Chicago Bears immediately. Barring a complete meltdown, they will finish with their first top 10 offense in both scoring and total yards since 2013. Unlike back then, when it was largely the incredible talent they assembled, most of the success this year can be credited to Johnson's incredible knack for scheming and play calling. People have wondered what makes him so good. Cole Kmet has an idea.
He explained to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune that Johnson does something most other play callers in the NFL don't. That is, he builds his identity through the running game. Most offensive minds want to chuck the football through the air, showcasing the quarterback. Not Johnson.
“With some of the bigger linebackers, the advantage was in the pass game because those guys couldn’t cover,” Kmet said. “Well, a lot of those guys can cover now if you are continually going after them in the run game, people don’t like that. It takes a disciplined play caller to stick with it like Ben, whereas a lot of other play callers, they want to throw it.”
Since 2022, Johnson's offenses have ranked 13th, 7th, 3rd, and 2nd in rushing attempts. Andy Reid, who many consider the best of his generation, hasn't cracked the top 10 since 2002. Sean McVay hasn't done it since 2020. Kevin O'Connell has never done it. The only coach who seems to fit a similar profile is Kyle Shanahan, who has done it four times in the past five years.
Cole Kmet understands why Johnson is so hard to defend.
The common thread for those other play callers is that they often end up with a great quarterback and don't feel the need to commit to running the ball. It just takes the ball out of said quarterback's hands. However, if you examine recent NFL history, there is a significant correlation between success and giving a great quarterback a good running game. John Elway won back-to-back Super Bowls behind an elite rushing attack in 1997 and 1998. Tom Brady had the 6th, 7th, and 5th rushing attacks in 2004, 2016, and 2018. Drew Brees had the 10th-ranked attack in 2009. Russell Wilson had the 4th-ranked attack in 2013.
There is ample evidence to support what Johnson preaches. Sure, having Caleb Williams be a potential franchise quarterback is great. However, to make this offense truly unstoppable, the smart thing to do is pair him with a running game that defenses can't ignore. Cole Kmet understands this. If a defense knows the goal is to attack the quarterback, even a great one, their job is a little easier. That won't be the case under Johnson's watch.
