The biggest key to the Chicago Bears’ offensive breakout revealed

The Chicago Bears keep finding ways to win tight games in the waning moments, but just below the surface of the comeback victories, the roots of head coach Ben Johnson’s offense are starting to take hold.

While Chicago’s No. 2-ranked running game has become the focal point, in a lot of ways, running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai’s success are the foundation rather than the focal point, despite their production through the season’s first 10 games.

What the Bears have been able to do in the running game has significantly leveled up and helped bring out the best in second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.

Secret to Ben Johnson’s Chicago Bears offensive breakout revealed

So far this season, only 12 quarterbacks have passed for more yards than Williams, whose 13 passing touchdowns with four interceptions underscore the significant leap he has already made since being chosen No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Over at Yahoo Sports, Nate Tice points out that Johnson importing the play-action concepts that became the hallmark of the Detroit Lions prolific offense during his time as Dan Campbell’s play-caller have unlocked Williams’ and the Bears’ explosiveness this season.

“Johnson craves explosives,” Tice writes. “Every interview he talks about them, and he practices what he preaches. The Bears’ play-action concepts are built to seek out chunk plays. And Williams, who preferred working outside in college and as a rookie, has started to thrive as he gets more and more comfortable with the play-action concepts.

“He’s reading out high-lows over the middle of the field, layering balls more regularly and taking RPMs off of throws, and has some excellent moments of ball placement away from defenders (the Vikings game in Week 11 was a great example). That is so important for lifting the ceiling of what this passing game can be, especially one that uses play action at the second-highest rate in the NFL this season.”

As Tice points out, only five teams boast a higher explosive-pass rate than Williams’ and the Bears’, which is encouraging given how early it still is in the former USC standout’s development and the youth in his supporting cast such as Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, and Luther Burden playing prominent roles.

If Williams can improve on getting the ball accurately downfield, continue limiting turnovers, and avoiding sacks, the longer the Bears are executing Johnson’s scheme at this high a level, this is going to be an even more versatile and dangerous offense to defend.

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