Recently, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen took liberties by complaining that the NFL has no problem showcasing Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams while his team doesn’t get any respect. It isn’t difficult to gain motivation from that. The Jaguars had the better record at 13-4. Their quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, threw for more yards and touchdowns. It isn’t right. Inevitably, Bears fans took exception to that. Williams didn’t have the benefit of a top 10 defense to lean on. He also won a playoff game, which is something Coen can’t claim. So what does Ben Johnson think about all this?
The Bears head coach might keep his emotional expressions controlled, but everybody knows how petty he can be when he feels his team has been slighted. Reporters asked him about the Coen rant during his Friday presser. His reply was as succinct and to the point as you might expect.
“Well, we’re the #1 regression candidate. So I think we got plenty of motivation ourselves. We talked about Caleb in the past. He’s used to handling attention, so I’m not worried about that.”
Translation? Johnson clapped back without fully rising to the bait. Remember, the Bears will host the Jaguars on December 6th at Soldier Field. He has no intention of giving them any motivational juice like Coen just did.
Ben Johnson is a master of psychological timing.
He knows trying to fire his team up over Coen’s comments right now is a pointless waste of time and mental resources. They should be focused on training camp, working hard to get better. There will be a time and place to bring this up. You can bet Johnson will keep that video in the vault for later. Come December, it will magically come out in the week leading up to the game. The target of intent will be Williams. Like Johnson, the Bears quarterback doesn’t need much to get going. Being reminded by another head coach that he isn’t worth the time and attention he’s getting will certainly do it.
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Let’s be honest about Jacksonville. They had a great record last season. They also had the 9th-easiest schedule in the league. Chicago had the 3rd-toughest. The Jaguars’ final 10 games saw them play the Raiders, Cardinals, Titans (twice), Colts (twice), and the Jets. Yet they somehow feel they’re being disrespected? Part of the reason they aren’t a regression candidate is that they’re still in one of the NFL’s weakest divisions. That said, if they want respect, the first half of their 2026 schedule will earn it. They face the Broncos, Patriots, Eagles, and Texans in that six-game stretch.
Johnson doesn’t need to complain in the media.
Any disrespect he thinks the Bears are getting is channeled inward. If the media doesn’t think this team is good enough? Then they’ll learn. Watch the games and witness your takes fall to pieces. Ben Johnson takes an almost perverse delight in doing that. Think the Packers will keep dominating the rivalry? Nope. Two big comebacks later, and Green Bay is having an existential crisis. Think the defending champion Eagles will put the Bears in their place? Nope. Chicago rampages through them for almost 300 rushing yards in their own building.
If Coen doesn’t think Williams is worth the hype? Rest assured that Johnson will have his quarterback ready for that game in December. Jacksonville had the 21st pass defense last season and didn’t seem to get any better in the spring. Don’t be shocked when Chicago comes out firing with Colston Loveland, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden all looking for chunk plays. Coen believes his team is better than the Bears. He’ll have to go through hell to prove it.
