The Chicago Bears hired Ben Johnson to turn their franchise around this offseason and he brings several aspects that should have fans excited. The architect of the Detroit Lions offense, Johnson’s creativity brought him to the front of the line for a head coaching opportunity and it was already on display at OTAs when reporters caught right tackle Darnell Wright making a one-handed grab on Thursday.
The play is similar to the one that made offensive lineman Dan Skipper a cult hero in Detroit and has Bears fans anxious to see what Johnson can do. But while some may anticipate a few trick plays, tight end Cole Kmet may be feeling a different way as a new regime takes over this season.
Ben Johnson’s Trick Plays Could Limit Opportunities for Cole Kmet
Kmet came into the offseason feeling the heat as he had an underwhelming season in the first year of a four-year, $50 million contract extension. With 47 catches for 474 yards and four touchdowns, Johnson sought to upgrade the position upon his arrival and selected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the tenth overall pick in April’s draft.
Loveland is enough reason for Kmet to worry about his job. But he should also be worried about Johnson’s tendencies during his time with the Lions.
The Bears are projected to use the same ‘11’ personnel with one running back and one tight end that Johnson used in Detroit. While most teams use two tight-end sets on occasion, the Lions used six offensive lineman with one tight end in the red zone and short-yardage situations, giving them an extra blocker on running plays and the opportunity to get creative with the sixth lineman becoming an eligible receiver.
That tendency helped Sam LaPorta become a force in Detroit with 17 touchdowns over the past two seasons but didn’t leave much for the other tight ends with Skipper and Jared Goff having as many receiving touchdowns (two) as reserve tight end Brock Wright had last season.
This is great news for the Bears offensive line, which has Wright and Braxton Jones as projected starters, 2024 third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie as a reserve and added Ozzy Trapilo in the draft. But it could be bad news for Kmet as Johnson may have found a way to replace him in red zone situations.
It’s another sign that the Bears could move on from Kmet when they could save $8.4 million with a release or trade next offseason and give fans the chance to see a rare “Thicc Six” this season.