Ben Johnson has spent much of his coaching career working with healthy starting quarterbacks. With Caleb Williams now dealing with an injury, Jon Gruden believes the Chicago Bears head coach is about to face a challenge he hasn't had to navigate before.
Johnson's Bears went from scoring 59 points in their season opener to managing just three against Minnesota. Now, with Williams' availability uncertain, Gruden isn't particularly interested in hearing excuses.
Jon Gruden challenges Ben Johnson to prove himself
During the latest Gruden Family Football Show, Gruden pointed out that Johnson called 51 games with Jared Goff in Detroit without the quarterback missing a start. He has since coached 19 games with Williams, who had also been available for every start during that stretch.
That uninterrupted run could be coming to an end.
"Welcome to reality. Okay, let's see how great you are now," Gruden said.
He wasn't finished.
"This will be a great opportunity for Ben Johnson to showcase how good he really is."
It's a pointed challenge for a coach whose reputation was built around designing one of the NFL's most productive offenses. Johnson earned his opportunity in Chicago largely because of what he accomplished with Goff and the Lions. Having to adjust his offense for a different quarterback presents an entirely different test.
Chicago's offensive collapse gives Gruden plenty of ammunition
Williams' injury isn't the only thing bothering Gruden. Chicago's performance against Minnesota gave him an entire collection of mistakes to dissect.
"Last week against Minnesota, Chicago looked terrible," Gruden said.
He highlighted five penalties by the Bears' center, botched snaps, failed exchanges in the backfield and protection breakdowns that left the offense struggling to function.
The timing couldn't be worse for Johnson. Philadelphia is next on the schedule, and Gruden noted that the Eagles haven't forgotten the coach's shirtless celebration following Chicago's victory over them last season.
Gruden also questioned why the Bears haven't gotten more out of Cole Kmet and Luther Burden III. With Williams potentially sidelined, Chicago will need contributions from players who have yet to establish themselves as consistent offensive weapons.
Johnson now faces the kind of challenge that can quickly change the conversation surrounding a head coach. The offensive creativity that made him such an attractive hire will be tested without the quarterback around whom he built his system.
Gruden has already made it clear he'll be watching.
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