The Chicago Bears are on a two-game winning streak thanks to surprisingly capable backup quarterback play and a defense going beyond expectations. No question, the group effort defensively has been incredible and has kept what was a team expected to fall out of contention due to the loss of Caleb Williams. Instead, the defense has done much of the heavy lifting, and head coach Ben Johnson is taking the perfect approach when it comes to crediting the unit.
"You could almost call them the no-name defense at this point. Nobody's super flashy all over the place, yet they're playing really good football as a collective 11. They're unselfish, sound in their assignments, and just want to do right by their buddy. When your eyes are right and alignment is proper, you play good defense. Our physical style of play showed up across all three phases today"Ben Johnson
Johnson isn't taking the time to call out the defensive coordinator or star players, but is building up the collective effort as a whole. This is exactly what fans should expect from a coach who has proven, every step along the way, to have the right answers. The head coach is working to build up the unit as a whole understanding the need for a continued collective effort as the franchise awaits the return of Williams.
While both Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent have been solid in their respective starts, there is a clear ceiling for the offense with either backup in the lineup. Neither Bagent nor Keenum have been placed under any pressure due to how well the defense has played giving time to jump out to a lead and turn the pressure up on the opposing offense.
Ben Johnson Offers Perfect Praise as Bears Defense will Continue to be Leaned on
The biggest test thus far is upcoming as Williams remains out and the Bears are taking on an important divisional matchup with the Green Bay Packers hosting Chicago on Sunday. This is yet another factor into why Johnson's praise was incredibly specific. It is important that no one player or even the defense as a whole get too high a level of confidence ahead of their toughest test.
Johnson's leadership is above questioning just as defensive coordinator Dennis Allen deserves immense credit after you look at the last two weeks. Very few coaches around the league could lose the elite talent of Williams and know all of the right buttons to push to get the needed results.
Choosing this avenue to praise the defense is simply the latest example in a long line of making the correct calls. It will be interesting to watch how Chicago responds on Sunday and if an improbable win streak can continue.
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