I’ve been saying for a while that Ben Johnson is different. I’m not sure playing the first-team offense for the entire first half was what I meant, but I’m good with it, considering how things unfolded for Caleb Williams and the Bears’ first-team offense on Friday evening.
There’s no doubt Ben Johnson is going to be fuming about tonight’s first half, and his decision to leave the starters out on the field for the duration of the first half and his comments to Jason McKie on the ESPN 1000 halftime show confirmed his frustration:
“Whatever happened in the first half was not our brand of football,” Johnson told McKie.
Aug 10, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson on the sidelines against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesMixed Bag for Caleb Williams and the Bears’ First Team Offense
It would have been nice to see Chicago’s offense repeat its performance against the Bills tonight and spend the next two weeks dreaming about Week 1. That didn’t happen, with a botched exchange, a false start, and an ugly held-the-ball-too-long sack defining the first two drives for the Bears’ first-team offense.
The poor start led to Ben Johnson making Caleb Williams and the ones finish the first half, and finish they did. On the final two drives, we had a 12-play drive that resulted in a field goal, followed by a 78-yard touchdown drive during the two-minute drill, capped by a Williams touchdown to Rome Odunze.
The first two drives were mildly concerning, but telling this tale as anything but one of two sides would be misleading. So, let’s do it like this:
The Good
D’Andre Swift looked good tonight, rushing for 28 yards on seven carries while catching a pass for six yards. The offensive line looked great in the run blocking game, and rookie Luke Newman was a standout in that phase. As bad as the first two drives were, featuring some bugaboos from 2024 for Williams, the final two drives were very good. One came against the Chiefs’ starters, and both resulted in points. Olamide Zaccheaus continues to be a steal for Chicago, catching all three of his targets for 37 yards on Sunday. Aug 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (14) celebrates with Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn ImagesThe Bad
The pass protection was shakier than we saw against Buffalo, and Braxton Jones got beaten multiple times. The pass protection was collectively better than we saw last season, but it’s not quite where it needs to be. Still, it’s important to note that Joe Thuney was a healthy scratch tonight, and we don’t know what will happen with the left tackle spot, so take tonight with a grain of salt. The operation on the opening drive was downright unacceptable, from the botched motion/handoff to the false start penalty and the bad sack. That can’t happen this season. Rome Odunze had a pair of ugly drops tonight.The Encouraging
I mentioned a rough sack for Williams on the opening drive—that can’t be a common thing this season—but he also took the checkdown and threw some passes away. Progress. Williams didn’t look comfortable to start the game, but he settled in eventually. Credit to Ben Johnson, whose play-calling with runs and short passes allowed Williams to find his flow eventually. At that point, Johnson expanded the calls and gave Williams some downfield shots.Tonight Was a Big Yikes for the Defense, But …
The best question regarding the defense tonight was, what was worse, the pass rush or the coverage in the secondary? We cannot ask that question often if this team is going to compete for a playoff spot this season.
Nahshon Wright was downright awful, and Tyrique Stevenson wasn’t much better. There was also zero threat of a pass rush, allowing Patrick Mahomes to dance around behind the line of scrimmage and perform his Mahomes voodoo in less-than-opportune spots. It’s clear that Terrell Smith’s injury will affect this Chicago secondary far more than I was willing to admit this week when I wrote about him missing the rest of the season.
Dennis Allen has done some really good things thus far, but his coverages were a mess, and the secondary was carved up all night.
As for the but: the Bears were without Grady Jarrett, Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tremaine Edmunds, and Austin Booker tonight. So, again, a grain of salt.
May 9, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen (L), general manager Ryan Poles (C) and head coach Ben Johnson (R) observe during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesBears Game Balls
Caleb Williams
I’m giving Caleb a game ball for the bounceback. As crappy as the offense’s start was, we’re still talking about a second-year quarterback learning a complex, brand-new offense, and there will be hiccups, like it or not. I think I would rather see them tonight, and I definitely want to see them followed by a bounceback effort that results in Williams finishing the night 11-of-15 for 113 yards, a touchdown, no interceptions, and a 116.8 passer rating.
Luke Newman
I’ll be interested to see how Newman grades out tonight and watch the All-22, but the instant eye-test was impressive for the rookie, who not only looked very good in the run-blocking game at left guard but also eventually moved over to right guard.
Tyson Bagent
The Bears QB2 signed a new deal this week and then completed 20-of-28 for 212 yards and three touchdowns in a comeback win over the Chiefs to close the book on the preseason slate. Depth is fantastic, and Bagent provides quality depth under center.
Aug 22, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) runs the ball during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn ImagesRequired Reading
Bears Player Grades: This One Wasn’t As Fun As Last Week! At Least Caleb Williams Looked Great in the Two-Minute DrillHence then, the article about bears nightcap some good some bad and some encouraging was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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