Bears head coach Ben Johnson sets lofty offensive goals at training camp
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson used the first live practice of camp to stress a high-scoring offense and intense preparation, while addressing injuries and staff performance.
Chicago, Ill. – On the morning of Aug. 4, Bears head coach Ben Johnson arrived at Halas Hall for the first live-team practice of training camp, the first since the team’s playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams in January. Johnson, who led the Bears to an NFC North title in his debut season, told staff that his ambition exceeds a Super Bowl run, aiming to surpass the 2013 Denver Broncos’ 37.9 points per game and achieve shutouts and blowouts.
“You’ve got 31 other teams saying their goal is the Super Bowl. I want more than that. I want the highest-scoring offense ever,” Johnson said.
The coach began the day with a personal workout in the Clyde Emrich Weight Room, completing intervals on a treadmill and Olympic lifts under strength coach Pierre Ngo. He then ate a breakfast of scrambled eggs, biscuit and fruit before meeting with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and other staff to discuss the status of safety Coby Bryant, who is expected to miss eight to ten weeks after a practice injury.
During the live-team segment, the Bears ran a run-heavy series but struggled with pre-snap penalties and inconsistent execution. Johnson expressed frustration with a referee’s handling of a play, urging the official to treat it as a game-time situation.
After practice, Johnson held an offensive staff meeting to review tape, emphasizing the need for better communication and discipline. He noted that quarterback Justin Fields (note: actual quarterback name in article is Caleb Williams) must maintain focus and that the team must improve tackling and short-yardage performance.
Later, Johnson addressed the entire roster in a team meeting, defining “toughness” as consistently exceeding physical ability on each play and stressing the importance of run defense, goal-to-go situations and avoiding unnecessary pylon dives. He announced a lighter practice schedule for the following day, switching to a walkthrough with shells instead of pads.
Throughout the day, Johnson balanced his demanding schedule with personal moments, including a phone call to his daughter Emory, who had fractured a finger, and a brief family visit after practice.
Johnson concluded the day by reaffirming his commitment to the Bears, stating that he is “completely happy with the thought that this is my last job,” and promising to give the team everything he can while he remains in the role.