If there is one thing we’ve learned about Ben Johnson since he took over as Chicago Bears head coach, it is that he isn’t afraid to say what he’s feeling. He will use the media to get his message to across to players when they aren’t performing up to his standards. After a frustrating 30-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, one could safely assume Johnson would say something. He didn’t disappoint. His opening statement came off as a disappointed father speaking to his children, saying he expected to show more intensity in a game against a tough opponent.
However, the issue that seemed to frustrate him the most was the penalties. Chicago had 11 in this game, which is one of their worst of the season. What makes it worse is that it’s a recurring issue. The Bears have been plagued by penalties all year. Make no mistake. Johnson has mentioned it several times and harped on it in practice. Yet they continue. It seems he’s finally had enough. He openly criticized the Bears’ locker room leaders for not doing enough to hold teammates accountable.
“We get away with it occasionally, but it’s not the way you win in this league … I really put it on the leaders in that locker room … us coaches, we’ve been pounding that drum now for a while and we haven’t gotten the results we wanted. So, it’s on the leaders here on this team to get it right.”
Ben Johnson had every right to say this.
It isn’t a secret that the Bears coaching staff has grilled these guys every day about being detailed and focused. For the penalties to continue, it proves that some players aren’t capable of that. In these situations, you need locker room leaders to set the tone, encouraging teammates to improve or risk consequences. The Bears had that with Kreutz, Urlacher, Brown, Tillman, and Briggs. It feels like they don’t really have enough guys like that. Just look at their captains.
- Caleb Williams
- Joe Thuney
- Grady Jarrett
- Kevin Byard
- Cairo Santos
If we’re being honest, the offensive leadership is lacking. Thuney is outstanding. He’s earned his spot and it shows on the interior offensive line. Williams? It’s hard to justify his status as a captain other than that he is the quarterback, and that is what you do. Nothing about how this offense operates suggests Williams runs a tight ship. Ben Johnson knows he can’t do it alone. Others must do their part. That isn’t happening right now.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
