Ben Johnson didn’t just escape with a 19-17 win against the Vikings on Sunday—he also showed the blueprint that’s made the Bears 7-3 and leading the NFC North. Instead of taking risky 50/50 throws, the genius HC understands the importance of routes that create separation, enabling the receivers to make plays and rack up yards after the catch.
As a result, Chicago moved from being a team that rarely capitalized on YAC, ranking third in the league. But it also highlights a change for Rome Odunze, the rookie known for his contested catches.
> The head [coach said](https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1990575299470434458?t=E92ps1ZOYEBbSSmRXCMEVQ&s=19), “_Ummm … yeah, I’m not a big guy on 50-50 balls to be honest with you.” He added, “You can look at my track record of calling games, and we like to get guys open other than just throw it up for grabs_.”
**Ben Johnson’s Clean-Scheme Creed Fuels Bears’ Breakout Without the Drama**
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Aug 22, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson on field against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Johnson’s approach isn’t new, as he follows a similar pattern in Detroit, where he turned Amon-Ra St. Brown into a YAC machine. Now, instead of throwing up contested balls, Johnson designs plays to create clear passing lanes. It’s working. The Bears rank 10th in total YAC with 1,201 yards, a big jump from last season’s 18th place. On a per-catch basis, they sit third in the league at 6.1 yards, only behind Pittsburgh and Johnson’s former Lions team. This is all thanks to Ben’s strategy.
Odunze, coming out of Washington as a fade-ball specialist, was a perfect fit for Johnson’s system. Still, the rookie got a test on Sunday. He made a circus catch on a low throw, landing on his back, and then powered his way into the end zone for his sixth touchdown of the year. Earlier, Caleb Williams barely missed him on a deep route, and later, he overthrew DJ Moore. Johnson wasn’t concerned but focused on building rhythm over time, not expecting miracles right away.
As the game wound down, Johnson’s calmness showed again. Down one point at the Vikings’ 40-yard line with 50 seconds left and all three timeouts, he stuck with the basics. He handed the ball to D’Andre Swift three times for 11 yards to run down the clock, setting up Cairo Santos for the game-winner. Swift made a greater impact when he rushed for yards on carries. The offense ran as it had in practice.
On defense, Chicago gave a dominant performance. Kevin Byard was the leading man. His five interceptions top the NFL, and Grady Jarrett’s pressure forced turnovers even without sacks.
The Bears’ backbone already has as many wins this season as Matt Eberflus did in three years. Even after the unexpected defeat to Detroit, the star HC kept his head up and led the Bears from an 0-2 start to a 7-1 surge, including a 31-14 dismantling of the Cowboys. Every phase of the team has stepped up at the right time: special teams have been clutch, the defense has held opponents under 20 points in five straight games, and the offense has improved across the board.
Johnson’s philosophy is all about imaginative play over spectacle, and we’ll see how the Steelers test it next.