UPDATE: The Chicago Bears’ head coach, Ben Johnson, is under intense scrutiny following a 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on September 11, 2023. This loss, marked by critical errors across all facets of the game, has left fans and analysts questioning the rookie coach’s readiness for the NFL.
In his debut, Johnson’s squad struggled significantly, allowing the Vikings to capitalize on a series of mistakes. With just 12 minutes remaining in the game, the Bears squandered a chance to extend their lead and instead found themselves trailing by ten points. The atmosphere at Soldier Field turned sour, with many fans booing as the team exited the field.
“I think that’s the beauty of this city,” Johnson stated on Tuesday. “They love their sports. I embrace it. They want a good product. They’re desperate for a winner.” His acknowledgment of the fans’ frustrations highlights the urgency for improvement as the Bears search for their first win of the season.
Key issues plagued the Bears throughout the contest. The team recorded an alarming 12 penalties totaling 127 yards, the most in any game coached by former head coach Matt Eberflus. This included four false starts and one illegal shift before the snap, undermining their offseason emphasis on pre-snap discipline. Receiver Rome Odunze remarked, “That’s just stuff that you can’t do if you want to have success in this league.”
The Vikings’ quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, showcased resilience, becoming the first QB since 1985 to mount a comeback from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit in his NFL debut. After struggling with a 16.7 passer rating in the third quarter, McCarthy rebounded with a staggering 149.5 rating in the fourth, leading the Vikings to victory. As noted by safety Jaquan Brisker, “They adjusted by running the ball well,” allowing McCarthy to exploit short-yardage opportunities.
As the game progressed, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams faced mounting pressure, with his passer rating declining from 92.6 in the first quarter to a dismal 39.8 in the fourth. Johnson acknowledged that the Vikings’ defensive adjustments caught them off guard, complicating their offensive strategy.
The game’s final minutes further compounded the Bears’ woes. With just 2:02 left on the clock and trailing by three points, kicker Cairo Santos failed to execute a crucial kickoff strategy, allowing the Vikings to maintain possession and run down the clock. Johnson admitted, “I should have had Santos simply kick the ball out of bounds,” a decision that could have altered the game’s outcome.
The loss has amplified the pressure on Johnson and the Bears as they prepare for their next matchup. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely for signs of improvement and strategic adjustments in the coming weeks. With the expectation of a winning season, the urgency for the Bears to bounce back has never been greater.
Expectations are high, and Johnson knows that turning this team around will take immediate action and decisive leadership. The Bears have a tough road ahead, and all eyes will be on how they respond to this challenging start to the season.
