Ben Johnson sees major improvement from Chicago Bears’ offense in critical area

In a lot of ways, the Chicago Bears were very much a work in progress when first-year head coach Ben Johnson’s team opened up the regular season against the Minnesota Vikings.

Quarterback Caleb Williams was brilliant through the first 15-or-so plays against coordinator Brian Flores’ defense, before the wheels came off for the Bears in Week 1 at Soldier Field.

However, with four comeback wins already on Williams’ and Chicago’s ledger this season, and an offense that is finding its identity, Sunday’s NFC North rematch promises to have a very different feel for the Bears.

What Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is most impressed by

While Williams’ mobility has stolen the show, and helped steal victories from the jaws of defeat late in games recently, it’s the Bears’ punishing ground attack that has stood out for Johnson, ahead of Week 11.

“You look at offense, we’re running the ball a little bit crisper and cleaner,” Johnson told reporters, ahead of Sunday’s game. “I think the backs have a better feel for what we’re asking to do. The O-line has started to gel. I think (QB) Caleb’s (Williams) got a better understanding of what we’re getting done.

“Then on defense is – it’s really the same thing. I think the longer you’re in the scheme, the more comfortable you are in terms of what the coaches are asking you to do. I think upfront we’ve done a better job of trying to play physical and shed blocks. That’s got to show up here for the second half of the season.”

Playing a balanced and complementary brand of football is what has propelled the Bears into the No. 6 seed in the NFC, if the season ended today.

Far and away, though, the fact that Williams and the rest of the offense has such a firmer grasp of Johnson’s scheme and are playing at a significantly higher level in Week 11 as they did in Week 1, should have the Bears optimistic about Sunday and the trajectory of the stretch run.

“We’ve found out a lot about ourselves over the course of the season,” Johnson said. “So far, we’re a different team than we were Week 1 and so is Minnesota. This will be a completely different matchup as far as I’m concerned. The trust level has grown for a number of players within our coaching staff. I think we really can hang our hat on a number of guys now at this point and feel really good about what we’re going to get on game day.”

The post Ben Johnson sees major improvement from Chicago Bears’ offense in critical area appeared first on ChiCitySports.