Ben Johnson has controlled the Chicago Bears for a little over six months. He’s yet to coach in an actual NFL game, yet he hasn’t needed long to make an impression, both inside the locker room and outside. From the fans’ perspective, he comes across as intelligent, deliberate, and intense in everything he does. Details are everything. If players make mistakes, they’ll have to redo entire plays repeatedly. DJ Moore has had a front row seat to this entire saga unfolding. Few can have a more informed opinion about who Johnson really is.
Moore has already seen the offensive aptitude the head coach is known for. He clearly knows what he’s doing. The wide receiver is already seeing his role expand in various ways, including reps in the backfield at running back. He loves the creativity. Where it gets interesting is the personality. Moore admitted that Johnson is a bit of a character. He has a unique thing where he gets mad at players while still smiling at them. It comes across as “kind of creepy.” That is a clear indication that Johnson enjoys what he’s doing.
Yeah, he might be a psycho.
DJ Moore is witnessing what a good Chicago coach is.
History says that the best Bears head coaches weren’t exactly scions of mental stability. Mike Ditka was notorious for his unhinged temper during his long, successful run in the 1980s. Even George Halas, the franchise patriarch, had a reputation for getting into fights with players and using every dirty tactic he could think of to gain an edge in games. Johnson has a long way to go before joining that conversation, but it certainly sounds like he has the personality for this team. Nothing about the Bears’ eras of success was characterized by business-like coaching styles. They’ve been about intensity, competitive fire, toughness, and aggression. Johnson embodies all of that. DJ Moore is getting his first taste since joining the NFL. It’s easy to understand why he’s a little unsettled by it.
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