Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson appeared to take a subtle shot at his former Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff while discussing the differences between quarterbacks Caleb Williams and veteran Case Keenum.
Johnson was asked how he prepares for a quarterback who is less mobile but can get the ball out quickly, compared with Williams, who can extend plays with his legs.
Johnson, who previously served as the Lions’ offensive coordinator, referenced his experience calling plays for Goff without naming him directly.
“Well, I’ve got a little history with that of calling plays for someone not so mobile,” Johnson said. “Now I don’t have a history with someone that’s not a No. 1 pick, though, so that was apparently a big deal.”
The comment drew laughter from the room.
Goff, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, spent the 2022-25 seasons working with Johnson in Detroit.
Johnson joined the Bears as head coach after three seasons as the Lions’ offensive coordinator.
Johnson’s reference came while praising Keenum, who he said played well and quickly got the ball out of his hands while leading the Bears to a home victory over the Philadelphia Eagles 27-7 on Monday Night Football.
“Case came through. He played lights out,” Johnson said. “It’s what I said before, the guys up front, it starts with them. It always starts with them with our offense, and they’re the engine that makes this go.”
Johnson said strong pass protection helped Keenum make quick decisions and deliver the ball accurately.
“I thought the pass pro was pretty good and Case did a great job getting the ball out of his hand quickly, finding the right guy, giving a good runner’s ball on a lot of those, seeing the coverage,” Johnson said.
Johnson also emphasized the importance of the offensive line when a quarterback does not have the mobility to consistently escape pressure.
“The challenge really arises with the guys up front,” Johnson said. “They’re the ones that have to raise their level of play when you don’t have a Houdini back there necessarily making guys miss every single play.”
The comments come as Johnson begins his second season as the Bears’ head coach and works with Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Johnson spent three seasons with Goff in Detroit, helping lead an offense that became one of the league’s most productive units before he left for Chicago’s head coaching job.
While Johnson’s comments praised Keenum’s performance and the Bears’ offensive line, his reference to having experience with a quarterback who is “not so mobile” was a notable reminder of his time working with Goff in Detroit.
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