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Coming off a 12-10 victory over the Vikings in which his offense did not score a touchdown, the Bears’ offensive coordinator needs to prove “we’re in the process of building something special” — as he said when the Bears were 0-3 — in the final five regular-season games of the 2023 season.
The Bears cornerback needs to make the most of his big-play chances to be as good as he thinks he is. But just having those opportunities in recent games is an indication that as Matt Eberflus’ improving defense grows, Johnson’s impact will increase as well.
After a 31-26 loss to the contending Lions in which the Bears looked like an actual good team before imploding in the final 4:15, games against the Vikings and Lions will define the direction of the Bears under Eberflus. “We’re gonna find out who we are this week,” linebacker T.J. Edwards said.
The bounty Ryan Poles received for the No. 1 overall pick might still be better option — especially with the Panthers’ pick currently No. 1 overall. But the Texans’ success with Stroud rekindles a frustrating lament for Bears fans: What are the Texans doing that the Bears are not?
The lack of bite in Matt Eberflus’ defense — tied for 28th in points, 19th in yards, last in sacks and third downs and tied for 24th in takeaways — is the biggest disappointment of a 2-7 start. DJ Moore, Darnell Wright head the list of highlights, but Justin Fields is still a question mark.