Forward Progress: A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Ben Johnson's Media Session After Reviewing the Packers Loss – What We Learned About His Offense
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: December 9, 2025
Producer: 312 Sports

Episode Overview

This episode features a full, in-depth review of Bears offensive coordinator Ben Johnson's media session following the Bears’ tough loss to the Green Bay Packers. Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola provide their signature blend of analytical breakdown and genuine Chicago fan angst—all aimed at uncovering hard truths about the Bears’ offense, Caleb Williams’ performance, and the coaching staff’s mindset as the playoff race intensifies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Playoff Picture & Upcoming Browns Game

• The Bears slipped from the #1 to the #7 playoff seed after the loss. Both hosts stressed the urgency of the next game (vs. Browns).

• Quote:
  “They must win on Sunday because then if they don't win Sunday, it's a coin flip.” – Matt (00:38)

• Both hosts discuss how the remaining schedule (at Cleveland, then hosting Green Bay, at San Francisco, hosting Detroit) means every outcome massively impacts playoff odds.

2. Ben Johnson’s Media Session – Full Breakdown

Dan and Matt play Ben Johnson’s media Q&A, pausing to analyze and react after each key answer.

A. Offensive Struggles: Starting Slow

• Johnson admits: “Offensively we need to start faster than what we did. Obviously 71 yards in the first half wasn't good enough. Only three points on five possessions...” (Ben Johnson, 04:09)
• Special teams also called out as a weak spot, with the hope Bears can exploit Cleveland’s poor coverage units.

B. The Final Throw to Cole Kmet

• Media asks: Caleb said the throw to Cole was a mental error, not difficulty.

• Johnson’s take:
  “…had we seen it a little bit sooner and given Cole a better chance, I think we would have been pretty happy with that result.” (06:22)

• Dan/Matt react by questioning Johnson’s repeated use of “we” instead of stating “Caleb” directly.

  • “He’s trying to protect his ego, are we trying to coddle the kid? Everyone knows what it means.” – Dan (07:34)

C. The Lack of Connection with DJ Moore

• Johnson surprised DJ Moore had only one catch; said Moore was featured in the game plan more than any other player (08:48).
• Hosts debate whether this is a subtle criticism of Caleb Williams for not finding the open man.
  • “If the coach is surprised, that tells me that there are plays on which he's the first or the second option.” – Matt (10:48)
• Questions about Moore’s effort, body language, and whether injuries or being a clear #2 option have impacted his motivation.

D. Can Ben Johnson “Serve” Caleb Williams?

• Johnson: “How can I best serve him to get him in a rhythm early in games…”
• Hosts push back, wondering if a pro OC should have to “warm up” a QB rather than just run the offense.
  • “You can best serve him by running your offense, right?” – Matt (14:04)

E. Clock Management and Aggressiveness

• Johnson defends his decision to let the clock run and aim for the go-ahead score with little time left for Green Bay.
  • “I feel really good about that. I feel really good about how we moved the ball down the field…with a quarterback playing as well as Jordan Love was… The last thing we wanted to do was give them enough time to respond…” (Ben Johnson, 14:50)
• “He was trying to win the game…We're just not used to that around here.” – Matt (16:22)

F. Caleb Williams: Flashes…But Still Inconsistent

• Media points out ongoing inconsistency (“really high potential, but also…struggle for a stretch”).
• Johnson:
  “There’s certainly some that you talk about each week where…guys are open and we can give them the ball on time…And then there’s that mix of ‘oh my gosh, that’s one of the most incredible plays I’ve ever seen in my life.’” (17:13)
• Hosts: This nails their season-long perspective—Caleb makes “superman” plays, but isn’t reliably executing on-schedule.
  • “That’s a cry for help.” – Matt (20:59)
  • “You don’t build around the superhuman off-script stuff. You have to build with what’s in the offense.” – Dan (22:44)

G. Johnson’s True Evaluation Timeline

• The hosts speculate about when an offensive coordinator “knows” if a QB can run their offense at a high level.
• Matt: “No, but that’s okay…If this is it, if he's topped out here, no [you can't win].” (25:24)
• Both agree Johnson has internal benchmarks to evaluate Caleb’s progress and expect continued scrutiny as the rookie contract timeline advances.

H. Protection and Offensive Line

• Johnson: Packers’ front was tough but Bears handled it well overall. Admits the protection plan sometimes didn’t match the scheme thrown at them, but there were also “really clean pockets.” (26:51)
• Hosts want more transparency—how many clean pocket opportunities did Caleb have, and how’d he do with them?

I. Rhythm, Playcalling, and Caleb’s Preferences

• When asked how to get Caleb in rhythm early, Johnson relays, “His feedback is, you call it, and I'm gonna go ahead and make it work…That's who he is. He doesn't care. You want to start the game with the deep ball, go ahead and call it, and I'll make it work…”
• Hosts call out the disconnect: “Okay, well, you're not though. That's the problem. So what do we have to do to alleviate this issue? There's a definite disconnect.” – Dan (33:06)

J. Kyler Gordon’s Injury Woes

• Johnson seems frustrated: “With him being out as much as he has, I haven't really got to see him on the field and competing…He's kind of in this rut now that we're not able to get out of.” (40:11)
• Both agree his durability could impact future planning.

K. Adjustments (or Lack Thereof) and Starting Fast

• Asked what adjustments were made after halftime, Johnson: “Not one. I stuck to the game plan and…we ended up doing a better job executing…” (41:43)
• Hosts: Reiterate importance of starting fast, especially against playoff-caliber opponents.

L. Endgame Execution

• Further praise for Johnson’s “no regrets” approach to clock management:
  “I thought we handled that situation as beautifully as you possibly could, minus the execution on third and one.” (43:18)
• “I love that…If I had to do it all over, we’d do it exactly the same way.” (43:54)

M. Defensive Breakdown Before the Half

• Johnson on Melton’s pre-half TD: “We can defend that play better…There were some elements on the back end…I'm not going to get into specifics…” (44:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[Caleb] makes the throw all the time in practice…” – Ben Johnson, questioned by Dan and Matt for potential excuse-making. (09:56)

• “Timing and accuracy, timing and accuracy, timing and accuracy.” – Matt, emphasizing what's lacking from Caleb’s execution. (22:55)

• “If coach is surprised, that tells me he was supposed to be found.” – Matt, on DJ Moore’s lack of targets. (10:48)

• “You don’t build around the superhuman off-script stuff.” – Dan (22:44)

• “How do we get the ball into the end zone? How do we score?... The last thing is, well, I would call this play here, but I need him to be warmed up.” – Dan, critiquing Johnson’s “serving” Caleb remarks. (13:16)

• “He was trying to win the game. We’re just not used to that around here…” – Matt, on Johnson's aggressive late-game approach. (16:22)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Playoff context and urgency: 00:23–03:21
• Ben Johnson’s opening remarks post-Packers loss: 04:05–04:40
• Final drive/call management: 14:40–16:22, 43:11–44:02
• Caleb’s inconsistency and coaching approach: 06:22–14:08, 16:49–24:41
• Connecting with DJ Moore (missed opportunities): 08:30–11:11
• O-line/protection analysis: 26:51–27:45
• In-depth about Johnson’s quarterback benchmarks: 24:41–26:24
• Kyler Gordon injury frustrations: 40:11–41:03
• Adjustments after halftime—Johnson's philosophy: 41:41–42:42

Tone and Takeaways

The conversation is candid and sometimes caustic, shot through with the weary hope and perpetual skepticism that marks true Chicago Bears fandom. Both hosts push for accountability, challenging coachspeak and drilling into WHEN and HOW this offense will reach its potential, particularly under the rookie quarterback. Through Ben Johnson's own words—and the hosts' honest reactions—listeners get rare clarity on how close (or far) the Bears’ offense is from being elite, and what hurdles remain on the road to the playoffs.

For Listeners: Why This Episode Matters

For Bears fans—and NFL observers at large—this is an eye-opening look at the intricacies of modern playcalling, the delicate art of developing a young QB, and the stakes of every decision as postseason hopes hang in the balance. If you want to know what’s really happening inside Halas Hall and where the Bears’ future hangs in the balance, this is essential listening.