We are a little over two weeks away from the opener for the Chicago Bears. They will host their NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings, on Monday Night Football, and the excitement is sky high.
Bears fans can't wait to see a Ben Johnson-led offense with Caleb Williams in Year 2. In the second week of preseason games, Chicago torched the Buffalo Bills 38-0, as the offense racked up 528 total yards.
That caught the attention of Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs, who said on the Up and Adams show, "It's funny watching the same plays that we [the Lions] ran."
Johnson then responded by saying, "This is the same gameplan in preseason I've done for the past four years. We just dusted off an old [playbook]. Once we get into the season, we'll have a little bit more fun."
Ben had to set the record straight 😂
— Bears on CHSN (@CHSN_Bears) August 20, 2025
(via @UpAndAdamsShow, @heykayadams) pic.twitter.com/3Krubrycm2
Bears HC Ben Johnson Claps Back at Jahmyr Gibbs
Johnson made it clear that the Bears are running plays that he did in Detroit, but it doesn't mean these will be the same plays they will use during the regular season. The preseason is all about getting in-game reps and having the framework of what they will be running when the games actually matter.
I mean, why would Johnson call the same plays that he would in the regular season? He's in a new location but in the same division as his former employer? You think he would use the same plays and not switch things up in the regular season? That would be wild, and Johnson knows better than that.
That's why he's using the same playbook in the preseason, and it could be a potential bait tactic. Of course, people are going to watch former Lions film when preparing for the Bears to see Johnson's tendencies. That's natural for teams to do, but Johnson will for sure change things around.
One of his biggest advantages is his creative offensive mind. That is why he was one of the most sought-after coaches over the last two coaching cycles before ultimately landing in Chicago.
Johnson made sure to clap back at Gibbs for his statement, and that only adds more excitement to the two games against Detroit this season, with the first matchup taking place in Week 2 at Ford Field.