Sunday’s Week 2 tilt between NFC North rivals, the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, will feature several familiar faces in different places than they were in last season. Most notable among them is Bears head coach Ben Johnson, the Lions’ offensive coordinator from 2021 through 2024.
During that time, Johnson had a significant impact on Lions quarterback Jared Goff, a former No. 1 overall pick in 2016 by the Los Angeles Rams, who had turned into a reclamation project.
Coming off a disappointing showing in Week 1, though, Johnson expects Goff’s best.
Bears HC Shares Telling Truth About Lions Jared Goff
Ben Johnson Praises Jared Goff as Bears Face Familiar Lions Team
Like the Bears, the Lions are coming off a loss in Week 1, with theirs coming against the Green Bay Packers. Goff completed 79.5% of his passes against the Packers, setting his best rate on as many completions (31) and attempts (39).
However, he averaged a 5.13 air yards per attempt, the 12th-lowest mark of his Lions tenure.
Goff is a four-time Pro Bowler, though. And while Johnson “can’t speak for him,” the Bears head coach did offer his take on Goff’s mental makeup.
“I just know he’s a very resilient individual, one of the most that I’ve been around in the NFL,” Johnson told Clocker Sports on Friday. “He’s been to the top, he’s been to the bottom, and he certainly finds a way each week to come back and swing away. So, I know we’ll get the best version to compete against here this week.”
The Lions acquired Goff in 2021, one year before Johnson was named OC.
However, Johnson had been with Detroit since 2019. He started as an offensive quality control assistant, to tight ends coach, to his final role before leaving for a promotion in Chicago this past offseason.
Goff led the NFL in starts and won the fourth-most games among all starting QBs during that span, per Stathead. The Lions won the NFC North last season, too.
Goff is correct to remain confident, and Johnson is right to acknowledge his prowess.
The veteran has completed 64.7% of his passes for 2,488 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 11 games against the Bears. He is 7-4 in those contests, and he has dropped one of his last five meetings against the Bears. That was in the teams’ second meeting in 2023.
Goff and the Lions also have institutional knowledge of what Johnson likes to do, though there will surely be a host of new wrinkles. Johnson has faced Goff once, when the coach was in Miami in 2016. His Dolphins beat Goff’s Rams 14-10.
The Bears must avoid a 0-2 start, which Johnson said thinking about was “crazy.”
Ben Johnson: Caleb Williams ‘Downloading’ Information Well
Johnson set a goal for his current QB, 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, to complete 70% of his passes. Goff completed 72.4% of his throws last season. Williams completed 60% of his passes against the Minnesota Vikings on “Monday Night Football” in Week 1.
Johnson pointed to the QB’s inconsistent footwork for the inaccuracy after the game and earlier in the week. He also said he was “happy with the process” for Williams on a short week.
The coaching staff is also trying to balance unlocking the playbook and letting Williams play fast.
“He’s very intentional with what he’s doing. He’s putting in the time. There are no shortcuts right now. And it’s that balancing act for us as a staff, how much can we carry over from the previous plan, from training camp plays, where [we’re] still having some designer plays that are in to attack that particular defense. And so, we’re finding that right level to where he can still play fast and confident football, but still give us enough in the arsenal for our guys to get the ball and do what they need to do,” Johnson told reporters.
“I’ve been very happy with how he’s been downloading the information. And I thought, for the most part, last week was really good for him. This week, on a shorter week, it’s more challenging, particularly on the road on a silent cadence. And so, there’s more factors at play.”
Williams had 210 passing yards and 1 TD in Week 1. He added another score on the ground to go with 58 yards on six carries. He has a 590-5-0 line against the Lions, but that is on 58.2% completion.
Williams and the Bears must be more efficient to earn their first win over the Lions in two years.