Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker has come under fire in recent weeks over some of the hits he has delivered on opposing quarterbacks, a couple of which have drawn fines from the NFL.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson even agreed with one such polarizing call.
However, one particular claim about an incident from Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers warranted a response from Houston Texans legend J.J. Watt.
J.J. Watt Weighs In on Bears DE Austin Booker Over Polarizing Play
Bears’ Austin Booker Sparking Debates
Packers Report’s Jacob Morley posted a clip of Booker sacking 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, commenting that the second-year Bears pass-rusher was “lowering the crown of his helmet at a QB” during the play, adding “Weird” in sarcasm.
“Idk what that green badge [Kalshi Sports] is brother, but it clearly doesn’t mean ball knower,” Watt told Morley in response. “Ever tackled anyone before?”
Morley responded by doubling down, and he was not alone in his criticism of Booker or Watt.
Booker received a pair of fines for two hits on Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Both of the hits drew fines during the game in Week 14. On the second, Booker was specifically flagged for making helmet-to-helmet contact with Love, who suffered a concussion on the hit.
The NFL deemed Booker dropped his full body weight on Love on the other penalty, which preceded the helmet-to-helmet.
Watt has spoken out against many of the roughing the passer calls around the league.
Former Bears cornerback Jerry Azumah spoke on the situation, saying Love ducked his head. That too drew the expected pushback. However, Azumah clarified that his stance was putting more emphasis on offensive players to protect themselves rather than absolving Booker.
Booker was also fined for “impermissible use of the helmet” after a hit on New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy in Week 10.
Johnson agreed with the helmet-to-helmet call involving Love.
Regardless of how the discussion goes, the Bears need Booker to avoid such costly penalties. They are magnified with him in the starting lineup. He ranks third on the team in sacks and is 0.5 sacks from a tie for second place with 4.5 through nine games (eight starts).
In addition to improving as a run defender, the next steps for Booker will also include working to better navigate the fine line between playing with aggression and being reckless.
If he can, that would solve an issue the Bears are still working to overcome consistently.