First, Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson delivered a masterclass to Nick Sirianni. Then Johnson danced in the locker room. Furthermore, Johnson’s sucker sneak play call was an ode to the Rams’ Greatest Show on Truf, according to a post on X by Ari Meirov.
“#Bears HC Ben Johnson says this play call — where both guards pull, making it look like the play is going outside when it’s actually a QB sneak — is an old (former Rams head coach) Mike Martz concept. It’s called a “sucker sneak.” Martz called it in the Super Bowl with Kurt Warner. Chicago used it last night with Case Keenum.”
Johnson pulled out all the stops and left Sirianni and the Eagles looking really unprepared. With starter Caleb Williams, the Bears dominated in a 27-7 victory on Monday Night Football.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson adapting against adversity
People seemed to think Johnson was a No. 1 draft pick one-trick pony. He had coached Jared Goff and Williams. However, Case Keenum won’t be mistaken for a No. 1 pick. In fact, Keenum wasn’t even worthy of being drafted. He signed with the Texans in 2013 as an undrafted free agent.
But Johnson molded an offensive plan that allowed Keenum to go 24 of 34 for 291 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles. He also had the surprising rushing touchdown. Not bad for a guy on his eighth NFL team.
And not bad for Johnson, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Well, I’ve got a little history of that, of calling plays for someone not so mobile,” he said with a smile, referring to his time with Lions quarterback Jared Goff. “Now, I don’t have a history with someone that’s not a No. 1 pick, though. That was apparently a big deal.”
There seems to be little doubt that Johnson can coach the game of football, according to Sports Illustrated.
“Johnson provided more evidence that he’s the real deal as a head coach,” Gilberto Manzano wrote. “It wasn’t just the plays called for Keenum that stood out. It was also about Johnson making the right call to go with Keenum despite Bagent being cleared to play Monday night.”