Ben Johnson is widely regarded as one of the best (if not the very best) play designers and play callers in the NFL. But his rise has come fairly quickly, and his experience in calling plays has been limited to two quarterbacks.
Jared Goff and Caleb Williams.
Both were the No. 1 overall picks in the draft. The Rams selected Goff in that spot 10 years ago. The Bears made Williams the top choice in 2024.
Johnson became Detroit’s offensive coordinator in 2022. For the next three years, Goff started every game. Johnson joined the Bears in 2025. Williams has started every game since Johnson’s arrival.
On Monday night — if Williams’s hamstring injury keeps him from playing — Johnson will be calling plays for Tyson Bagent (if he clears the concussion protocol) or Case Keenum.
Coaches are only as good as their players. And while Johnson has had plenty to do with getting the most out of Goff and Williams, they entered the NFL as the perceived cream of the crop. For Chicago’s key Week 3 game against the 2-0 Eagles, Johnson will be working with someone other than the first overall pick in the draft.
That doesn’t mean it won’t work. It just means it will be different. And, for Johnson specifically, unprecedented.
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