Chicago Bears HC Ben Johnson Disappointed In “Really Sloppy” Offensive Performance In Preseason Finale

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson didn’t mince words following his team’s preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday night. While the game ended on a positive note for Chicago, Johnson’s post-game comments revealed deep concern about his starting offense’s early performance and lingering issues that have persisted throughout training camp.

Chicago Bears HC Ben Johnson On Offensive Performance

“Offensively, the first two possessions was really sloppy football that has plagued us in and out of camp so far, and unfortunately that’s what we got here tonight,” Johnson told reporters after the game, his frustration evident in both tone and substance.

The numbers tell a stark story. Both of Chicago’s opening drives ended in punts—one lasting just three plays, the other managing only six. Meanwhile, the Chiefs capitalized on their early opportunities, putting 10 points on the board while the Bears’ offense sputtered.

For a coach who built his reputation as an offensive innovator during his time as Detroit’s coordinator, Johnson’s candid critique signals that the Bears’ offensive struggles represent more than typical preseason growing pains. These are systemic issues that have followed the team from practice fields into game situations.

Beyond Disappointment: A Pattern of Concern

Johnson’s comments reveal a coach grappling with recurring problems rather than isolated incidents. “It is disappointing to me offensively for sure,” he continued. “I thought that we had worked our way out of that.”

This admission carries particular weight coming from Johnson, whose offensive schemes helped transform Detroit into one of the league’s most dynamic attacking units. His expectation that these issues had been resolved suggests the Bears have been working specifically on the execution problems that surfaced against Kansas City.

The coach’s disappointment appears rooted not just in the performance itself, but in the timing. With regular season games rapidly approaching, seeing familiar problems resurface in what should have been a confidence-building finale represents a significant setback in the team’s preparation timeline.

The Ticking Clock to Week 1

Time is becoming Chicago’s most precious commodity. With just 16 days until their season opener—a Monday Night Football showdown against the Minnesota Vikings—Johnson faces the challenge of correcting fundamental offensive issues under intense pressure.

“If the first quarter [against the Chiefs] was really any indication, it’s not good enough, so we got to get better in a hurry,” Johnson stated with the urgency the situation demands.

The Bears’ early schedule amplifies these concerns. After hosting Minnesota in the spotlight of Monday night, they face an immediate road test against Johnson’s former team, the Detroit Lions—a game that will undoubtedly carry extra meaning for the first-year Bears coach. Following that, matchups with Dallas and Las Vegas await before Chicago’s Week 5 bye provides a potential reset opportunity.

Finding the Silver Lining in Struggle

Despite his harsh assessment, Johnson demonstrated the leadership quality of extracting value from adversity. “Good news is we will be able to look at this tape and coach it up with our guys and I think it’s out of our system hopefully for us going into the regular season,” he explained.

This perspective reflects a coach who understands that preseason struggles, while concerning, can serve as valuable learning experiences when properly addressed. The key word in Johnson’s statement is “hopefully”—an acknowledgment that fixing these issues requires more than optimism.

His emphasis on film study and coaching corrections suggests a methodical approach to problem-solving. Rather than making wholesale changes, Ben Johnson appears focused on refining execution within his established system.

Strategic Patience with Realistic Expectations

Ben Johnson’s long-term view provides additional context for managing expectations in 2025. “We might have to ebb and flow a little bit after that opening game,” he admitted. “Usually it’ll take up until the bye week. I think it’s placed at just the right time to really identify who we are and what we’re going to be for the rest of the season.”

This timeline acknowledges the reality that new systems, new players, and new leadership require time to coalesce into effective units. Johnson’s five-game window to establish identity aligns with historical patterns of team development early in seasons.

The coach’s willingness to publicly acknowledge this adjustment period demonstrates both honesty with fans and realistic expectations for his players. Rather than demanding immediate perfection, he’s providing a framework for gradual improvement.

The Broader Context

Johnson’s critique must be viewed within the context of a franchise undergoing significant transition. New coaching staff, evolving offensive systems, and personnel changes create natural friction points that often manifest as the kind of sloppiness Johnson observed against Kansas City.

However, his standards remain uncompromisingly high. The fact that he’s willing to publicly criticize his offense’s performance, even in a preseason setting, establishes accountability culture from the outset. Players understand that mediocre execution won’t be tolerated, regardless of the game’s stakes.

Looking Ahead: Urgency Meets Opportunity

The Bears’ preseason finale struggles serve as both warning and opportunity. Johnson’s honest assessment eliminates any possibility of complacency while providing clear direction for immediate improvement efforts.

His coaching staff now has specific film evidence of problem areas, concrete examples to reference in meetings, and a shared understanding of what must change before Minnesota arrives at Soldier Field.

The 16-day countdown to the regular season begins with Johnson’s blunt acknowledgment of current reality. Whether the Bears can transform “really sloppy” into “really effective” will determine not just their Week 1 performance, but potentially the trajectory of Johnson’s first season in Chicago.

For Chicago Bears fans, Johnson’s candor offers both concern and reassurance. The problems are real and acknowledged, but so is the commitment to fixing them. In a league where coaches often deflect criticism with generic responses, Johnson’s willingness to call out specific issues suggests a leader unafraid of the work required to build a championship-caliber offense.

The clock is ticking, but the foundation for improvement exists in Johnson’s honest assessment and the team’s collective commitment to addressing these early-season challenges head-on.