Ben Johnson calls out execution after Bears' offense struggles

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 13 hours ago

CHICAGO - This past Sunday marked Family Fest for the Chicago Bears.

On the day head coach Ben Johnson wanted to use as “preseason game zero,” the offense looked incredibly sloppy.

“We got some good work in. It was sloppy, sloppier than we’re probably hoping we’d be at this point,” Johnson said. “Particularly, we had a couple of really good practices over the last two, and then it took us a little while to get going and hear the pads clicking. But, I thought towards the end, we picked it up and it got pretty competitive there.”

Among the numerous issues during practice were multiple delay-of-the-game penalties.

While Johnson said this had not been as much of an issue in previous practices, it is certainly something he is looking to correct immediately.

“It’s something we’re going to have to address for sure. It showed up more today than it has in practice,” Johnson said. “So, this was more like a real game and if it continues like that, we’re not going to win many games.”

Another glaring mistake the Chicago offense made during Family Fest was a safety.

Johnson called that play “inexcusable” and said it came down to a lack of execution by the offense, although the defense also came out ready to play.

“Execution of the play wasn’t what we wanted it to be and it’s a credit to the defense. They came out and they kicked the offense’s rear in that drill. So, that’s what showed up to me. They wanted it a little bit more,” Johnson said. “The defense got the better of the offense (Sunday). I think the offense will bounce back going (into Monday) and (Tuesday).”

Despite their performance on Sunday, the offense is not doom and gloom.

Throughout training camp, wide receivers DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Olamide Zaccheaus, along with tight end Cole Kmet, have stood out to Johnson as players who are locked into this offense and will be reliable pass catchers this season.

“I think Cole Kmet, I think DJ Moore, I think Rome Odunze. Those are the three that stand out to me first and foremost,” Johnson said. “I think (Zaccheaus is) doing a great job of being where he’s supposed to be and he’s being a professional about it. The rookies, they’re still learning. They’re still growing and they just haven’t been out there enough to earn that trust yet.”

The running back position was perhaps seen as the weakest position group going into training camp. However, on Sunday, they were probably the group with the most physicality on the offensive side of the ball.

Although rookie Kyle Monangai ran the wrong way on one of the plays, Johnson is still pleased with Monangai and the rest of the running backs overall so far in camp.

“I thought all the runners, (Monangai), I thought Roschon (Johnson), I thought (D’Andre) Swift, I thought Ian (Wheeler), I thought all those guys, they were putting their shoulders down and they were running through contact and if they saw a little crease, that’s where I had a little bit better view than the other coaches, just seeing holes whether they were there or not and I thought those guys were trying to play a physical brand of football all around,” Johnson said. “I’m very pleased with where (Monangai)’s at and I think he’s a guy that we’re going to be able to trust this fall.”