Many Hate The Bears Have An Early BYE. Ben Johnson Loves It

Conventional wisdom says the bye week has value only by placement. Most would prefer it happen midway through a season. By that point, a team can rest, allow injured players time to heal, and then reset for the stretch run. An early bye week is pointless for many. Injuries usually aren't an issue yet. Rest isn't required. Even worse, it threatens to derail any early momentum you may have built. The Chicago Bears experienced this last year when they started 4-2, went into the bye, and went on to lose 10 straight. However, at least one person sees considerable value in an early bye week. That is new head coach Ben Johnson.

He interviewed with Colin Cowherd on The Herd program to discuss multiple topics. Most was spent on the new Caleb Williams report by ESPN, covering his attempts to avoid Chicago before the draft. He had different thoughts when asked about the schedule and the early bye week.

“I actually like where that bye week is, because it usually takes about four weeks into the season to find out who you are as a team, what you do well, what you don’t do well, and that’s a good time so we can reflect on that as a coaching staff so we can hone in on what we want to be for the remaining three-quarters of the season."

This is something that doesn't get discussed enough.

The NFL schedule is fast, and it doesn't allow much time for coaches to implement potential scheme changes necessary to help players adjust. Meaningful adjustments don't happen until a bye week, and that often requires waiting two months or longer. For a strategist like Johnson, an early bye is highly beneficial.

Ben Johnson clearly has a sense of the big picture.

Every bye week has different advantages depending on placement. Later ones provide rest and time to heal. Early ones allow you to make adjustments to establish an identity that can build momentum as the season unfolds. People forget the Philadelphia Eagles had a bye in week five last year. After starting the season 2-2, they reeled off 16 wins in their next 17 games, including the Super Bowl. Ben Johnson also experienced it. The Detroit Lions played their first month before having a week five bye. They came out of the break and scored at least 30 points in all but four of their remaining games. What he said wasn't just a way to ease fans' fears about an early bye week. He spoke with direct knowledge.