UPDATE: The Chicago Bears’ head coach Ben Johnson faced a challenging start to his career, suffering a 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. The game showcased glaring issues across offense, defense, and special teams, marking a tough debut for the rookie coach at Soldier Field.
Johnson’s team entered the fourth quarter with a chance to pull ahead but fell apart, allowing the Vikings to rally from a ten-point deficit. With just 12 minutes remaining, the Bears shifted from a possible 14-point lead to trailing by 10 points. The discontent among fans was palpable, with many booing as the team exited the field.
In a candid post-game interview, Johnson acknowledged the passionate Bears fanbase, stating,
“That’s the beauty of this city… They want a good product. They’re desperate for a winner.”
He expressed frustration over the outcome, emphasizing the need to deliver better performances.
The game was marred by a staggering 12 penalties against the Bears, totaling 127 yards. This included four false starts and one illegal shift, undermining the team’s efforts after a summer focused on minimizing mistakes. Receiver Rome Odunze highlighted the importance of discipline, stating, “That’s just stuff that you can’t do if you want to have success in this league.”
The Vikings capitalized on the Bears’ errors, particularly exploiting the adjustments made by their quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, who became the first QB since 1985 to win after trailing by ten points in the fourth quarter of his NFL debut. After struggling in the third quarter with a 16.7 passer rating, McCarthy rebounded dramatically with a rating of 149.5 in the final quarter, effectively managing short-yardage situations.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams also struggled, seeing his passer rating drop significantly as the game progressed—from 92.6 in the first quarter to just 39.8 in the fourth. Johnson noted that Vikings’ defensive coordinator Brian Flores adjusted his strategy effectively, resulting in less pressure than anticipated.
In a critical moment late in the game, kicker Cairo Santos failed to execute a necessary strategy, allowing the Vikings to return the kickoff and denying the Bears a chance to stop the clock effectively. Johnson admitted in hindsight that he should have instructed Santos to kick the ball out of bounds, which could have provided the Bears with crucial time.
As Johnson reflects on this challenging debut, he faces the task of turning around the team’s fortunes quickly. The Bears must address their discipline and execution issues ahead of their next matchup. With the pressure mounting from fans and media alike, Johnson’s ability to adapt and grow as a head coach will be vital in the coming weeks.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the Bears prepare for their next game, hoping for a turnaround that can restore faith in this new regime.