If there is one thing we’ve learned about Ben Johnson since he became the head coach of the Chicago Bears, it is that he doesn’t need much to get his competitive juices flowing. Last week, he got tired of people saying he’d never coached quarterbacks other than #1 overall picks in his career. That called his capability into question. So he used the Philadelphia Eagles as a whipping post with Case Keenum under center. This week? It is somewhat more interesting. The New York Jets aren’t a team the Bears play often, so there’s no rivalry involved. Well, not between the teams.
No, the source of Johnson’s hair-trigger competitiveness appears to be their head coach. Aaron Glenn worked together with the Bears’ head coach as coordinators with the Detroit Lions from 2022 to 2024. Their efforts yielded back-to-back division titles and a trip to the NFC Championship game. While it did lead to a lot of respect and friendship, Johnson also admitted that a personal rivalry developed between the two. One that he hasn’t forgotten, even over a year since parting company.
“He certainly lights a fire under you. I still remember to this day being next to him in training camp, and you can hear him — you can hear him. And when the defense makes a play, he lets you know. And so that shaped me a little bit as a young play caller there.
“And that really hasn’t changed. That’s who he is. He gets excited. He gets into it.”
Ben Johnson has been waiting for this opportunity.
There is something that just isn’t quite satisfying when you’re going against somebody in training camp. The cameras aren’t around, and the points scored or turnovers gained don’t matter. Everything is meant to prepare the team for the real games. Given how Johnson is wired, he was probably hoping that one day the two of them could go head-to-head with real stakes at stake. Then Johnson could remind Glenn that there are consequences to doing all that trash-talking.
He probably had this game circled on the calendar for months. Glenn doesn’t figure to make it easy. Despite their 1-2 record, the New York Jets look considerably improved over last year, especially on defense, where they rank in the top 10 in multiple categories. They should’ve beaten the Packers in week 2 and almost toppled the Lions in Detroit last week. Ben Johnson has no plans to take them lightly. He can’t afford to with a backup quarterback under center. Then again, if he can beat the Jets with Tyson Bagent, it will cement Johnson’s place as one of the NFL’s best.
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It’s all about receipts.
Johnson accepted Glenn’s jabs in Detroit because it was all for the good of the Lions. That doesn’t mean the coach just brushed it off. He clearly still remembers everything the coach said—all the celebrations. Johnson has a long memory. He doesn’t forget stuff like that. He merely files it away and keeps it for when it might become useful. Like now. The Jets could’ve easily been viewed as a trap game after such a big win over Philadelphia, and the Green Bay Packers are up next after this week.
No problem. Just pull those memories from the databank and let them stew in the brain all week. By the time kickoff rolls around on Sunday, Johnson will be all revved up. Victory is never guaranteed in the NFL, but one thing is certain. Glenn’d better be ready for Johnson’s best shot. He does not care that they are friends. The Jets’ head coach is in the way, and he will do everything possible to crush him.
