Ben Johnson Faces a Time Crunch to Improve Bears’ Offense

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Ben Johnson has 23 days to refine his offensive strategy.

At Halas Hall near Chicago on Friday, the Bears engaged in a joint practice with the Bills under the punishing heat typical of the Midwest. The mounting doubts about Chicago’s ability to establish a competent offense with quarterback Caleb Williams and rookie head coach Johnson seemed to be melting away.

Bears Struggle Against Bills Defense

During team drills, the Bears struggled to make progress against the Bills’ starting defense. The team racked up six false start penalties, four of which were attributed to the first-team players, despite the only distractions being buzzing bees from a nearby garden.

When the Bears managed to snap the ball without penalties, they were still heavily pressured by Buffalo’s refreshed defensive line. Rookies Landon Jackson, DeWayne Carter, and TJ Sanders consistently disrupted plays, making it evident that if the Bills were allowed to sack Williams, he would have faced being tackled multiple times.

Persistent Issues for Offense

Challenges related to pre-snap organization and quick ball release have plagued Williams since he joined the Bears as the first overall pick in 2024. These issues were significant last season, leading to an eye-catching 28 false start penalties, surpassed only by Dallas and Tennessee. Similar mistakes persisted in recent practices.

While the interior of the offensive line has improved with the addition of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, as well as center Drew Dalman, the tackle positions are still developing. Bills’ edge rushers Gregory Rousseau and Joey Bosa frequently exploited weaknesses on the Bears’ offensive line.

Urgent Need for Improvement

With the season approaching, Johnson must address the offensive line issues, particularly as Chicago prepares to face the Vikings’ Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, who combined for 23.5 sacks last year.

Williams has also shown a tendency to hold onto the ball too long, leading to numerous missed opportunities with open receivers and contributing to last season’s franchise-record 68 sacks. Despite a long time in the pocket, Williams’ bad throw rate was alarmingly high.

Standout Players Amid Struggles

Despite the overall offensive difficulties, running back D’Andre Swift and second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze demonstrated promising performances. Odunze stood out with impressive catches, including a spectacular grab in a 7-on-7 drill, showcasing his athleticism and skill.

Another notable performance came from Luther Burden III, the Bears’ second-round draft choice, who consistently made plays despite being primarily with the second team. His agility and physicality were evident, especially in contested situations.

Bills’ Defensive Strengths

On the defensive side for the Bills, linebacker Terrel Bernard made an impact in a red-zone drill with a well-timed hit that forced a fumble. His performance, coupled with the return of veteran Matt Milano from injuries, strengthens Buffalo’s defensive core.

Bosa, having signed with the Bills this offseason, showed his veteran prowess during practice. With his experience and alongside Rousseau, he is set to enhance the team’s sack productivity, critical for their Super Bowl aspirations.