Bears coach Ben Johnson is pushing to tailor Chicago’s offense to the Bears’ personnel rather than forcing a Detroit Lions-style scheme, a sign the team is trying to accelerate progress even as it remains a work in progress. With three weeks left in training camp and a preseason game against the Bills looming, Johnson stresses flexibility, reps and a process that will take time to coalesce.
Summary: Johnson is building an offense around Chicago’s players, not a fixed system, as Caleb Williams and the installation period continue to evolve ahead of the regular season.
In Halas Hall, the optimism comes with a caveat. Johnson has been clear that he’s not bringing the Lions’ offense to Chicago, instead aiming to mold a system that fits the Bears’ talent. That approach is designed to allow them to figure out their identity — including how much they’ll rely on zone schemes, gap schemes, the running game and play-action passes, and whether the attack will set up more from shotgun or under center. The process to determine that identity is ongoing, with everything installed still technically alive as they evaluate what works best.
On the practice field, the Bears have shuffled the offensive line, with Theo Benedet and Braxton Miller rotating on the left and rookie Ozzy Trapilo working as the second-team right tackle. The line remains a critical piece for Chicago to unlock its offense, especially as the team awaits a clearer running back picture and more continuity up front.
DJ Moore has been lining up in multiple roles, including some running back reps in camp, a testament to Johnson’s desire for versatile playmakers who can create mismatches. Running backs coach Eric Bieniemy praised Moore’s athleticism, vision and attention to detail, noting his adaptability and willingness to learn.
At quarterback, Caleb Williams has shown flashes of the upside that sparked interest in Chicago, including some nice throws to Rome Odunze, but the practice has also included a flurry of false-start penalties and a costly miscue that would have been a turnover in a real game. Williams isn’t lighting the world on fire in every session, but the Bears believe the right coaching and more repetition can accelerate his development.
Defensively, Dennis Allen’s unit has stood out through camp, with sharp looks and overall discipline. The injury bug in the defensive backfield is a concern, but the defense remains a steady force for the team’s early evaluation. The mismatch between a defense that often feels ahead and an offense still finding its footing is a familiar theme at Halas Hall, underscoring the point that offense generally requires more time and repetition to catch up.
Johnson announced that starters will play in Sunday’s preseason game against the Bills, a decision that aligns with the team’s approach to giving Williams and the offense as much live reps as possible. Williams will likely see about a quarter, perhaps into the second period, with the exact plan contingent on how the joint practice unfolds and how the game progresses. Johnson described reps as the most important tool for getting Williams up to speed, and the plan acknowledges that this week’s schedule requires a careful balance between development and protecting the integrity of the operation.
Why this matters: The Bears are trying to avoid forcing a fixed identity while still building a competent, scalable offense around Williams and the rest of the talent on the roster. It’s a high-wire act that hinges on how quickly the offensive installation translates into consistent production, how well the line and run game come together, and how Johnson’s play-caller philosophy meshes with the QB’s growth.
What to look for in the Bills game:
– How the offensive line performs with Benedet, Miller and Trapilo in the mix and whether the group can establish a reliable run game.
– How DJ Moore is utilized in the backfield and in motion to create space and mismatches.
– The level of Williams’ decision-making under game-like conditions and his ability to minimize penalties.
– The balance between design concepts and in-game adjustments as Chicago continues to refine its identity.
– The defense’s continued sharp play, especially in the secondary, and how that interplay impacts the offense’s tempo and confidence.
Bottom line: Chicago is betting on a flexible, talent-driven offense that can evolve with time and reps. If the installation process gains traction and the offensive line solidifies, Williams’ development could accelerate, and the Bears could begin showing the kind of momentum that makes the rest of the league take note.
Additional notes and context:
– The team’s “no one adjusts like us” mindset at Halas Hall reflects a strong belief in their capacity to learn from past missteps, even as they acknowledge the time needed for the new system to take root.
– The emphasis on reps and a measured preseason plan indicates a cautious but purposeful approach to integrating Williams and the rest of the offense into a more modern, flexible scheme.
– While the defense appears ahead, Chicago will need to protect Williams and optimize the run game to translate the early practice success into consistent regular-season production.
If you’d like, I can add a short, reader-friendly sidebar with “Key matchups to watch” for the Bills game or a quick explainer of what Johnson’s flexible scheme might look like once the Bears settle into a clearer identity.