Roschon Johnson Gets Honest About Polarizing Play in Bears’ Loss to Commanders

Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears

Amid what seems like a sea of dissension among the Chicago Bears players, is second-year running back Roschon Johnson.

The fallout from the Bears’ Week 8 last-second loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 8 continues, as questions about accountability and discipline under head coach Matt Eberflus’ leadership have run rampant. Along with that, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is also back under the microscope.

Roschon Johnson Blames Bears’ Goal-Line Fumble on Execution

Execution Key to Bears’ Goal-Line Mishap

In the fourth quarter, with the Bears trailing 12-5 and 6:21 to go on the clock, the Bears ran a fullback dive. It is a fairly standard call, especially for the situation. However, the Bears do not have a fullback. They cut Khari Blasingame, who had been lightly used all season, last week.

Instead, Waldron had Caleb Williams hand off to backup offensive lineman Doug Kramer. The ball ended up on the turf and, ultimately, in Washington’s possession.

“We practiced that for the past month. And we’ve ran that play several times and executed it. So I’m not gonna say I was surprised. But, obviously, the result of it didn’t go how we wanted it to. That’s just what it is,” Johnson told Clocker Sports after walkthroughs on Wednesday.

“Looking back on it, obviously, it’s just – it didn’t work.  People are going to say, ‘Oh, yeah. It should have been a different call. But in my opinion, if it works – and the handoff goes smoothly, and he gets in the end zone – we’re not having this conversation. So it is what it is. At the same time, we had an opportunity to win it, and we just didn’t execute fully as a team.”

Asked if he feels the narrative after moments like that overshadows how impactful the lack of execution was, Johnson answered affirmatively.

“A whole lot. A bunch of times. Most definitely a lot of the times I see,” Johnson said. “Situations like that happen where, literally, if it’s executed correctly, nobody’s gonna say it’s a bad or is this or that.

“So for me, yeah, for sure. That definitely plays a big part in that.”

Johnson was on the field for the play. Instead of receiving the handoff, he ran ghost action to the right as if he were awaiting a pitch. Johnson and Kramer – who also filled in for Teven Jenkins at left guard on that drive – have been part of the Bears’ offensive turnaround in a jumbo set.

This was a variation of that, so it likely is not a surprise to Johnson.

Roschon Johnson Not Surprised by Light Workload vs Commanders

Wide receiver DJ Moore noted the call surprised him given the situation in the game – the contest quite literally hanging the balance.

Moore shared on Wednesday that he has been asked not to discuss play calls or design with the media going forward. That is notable with Johnson also coming off a surprisingly low workload over the last two weeks.

He logged 10 carries for 25 yards and, most importantly, 2 touchdowns in Week 5.

But Johnson has tallied seven carries for 14 yards in the Bears’ last two games. He is not exactly surprised by that either.

“Not necessarily,” Johnson said. “Every game’s a different game. I don’t go in there really expecting anything. I just go in there with the mindset of whenever I get my chances and my opportunity, to just execute.”

The Bears forced the Commanders to punt on the ensuing possession after the fumble.

However, a score there would have made the score 22-12 with the Bears scoring a touchdown on Johnson’s 1-yard plunge into the same gap (or at least side) as Kramer tried to hit.

“We’re optimistic. Looking forward to this next week and just kind of carrying it out. Just putting on a show out there,” Johnson said. “We’ve been through tough times. We’ve been through worse situations. So yeah, I think we’ll be ready and we’ll be good for the weekend.”

Waldron – who will speak to the media on Thursday – is one item. Eberflus is another entirely.

Roschon Johnson: Matt Eberflus ‘Very Clear’ About What Bears Must Do

Eberflus is on the hook for not calling a timeout to get the defense refocused on the final play, especially with Tyrique Stevenson’s focus elsewhere before the ball was snapped.

Eberflus is also the one critics point to on the play before that Hail Mary, leaving too much cushion and allowing the Commanders to pick up critical yardage to make their final play easier for quarterback Jayden Daniels.

He has rejected the significance of that play multiple times since then.

Combined with the postgame comments of team leaders like Moore, Cole Kmet, Jaylon Johnson, and Kevin Byard, the pressure would seem to be mounting on the head coach.

Eberflus rejected that idea too on Wednesday, saying reporters would have to ask the players if he still had the faith of the locker room. To a man, the answer was yes, though, at least one player suggested it was a matter of having faith in the position rather than the person.

“It’s been pretty honest and pretty straightforward,” Johnson said.

“We hadn’t really had any problems. Honestly, he’s just been very clear and concise about what exactly we need to do in order for us to be a consistent team and get back in the win column.”