The Chicago Bears are first in the NFC, but head coach Ben Johnson believes they still need more from their passing attack to remain atop the conference.
During his Monday news conference, Johnson discussed concerns about Chicago’s 16th-ranked passing attack (220.4 YPG). He didn’t mince words.
Ben Johnson gets candid about the Bears passing game
“Everybody has a role to play to get this pass game cleaned up. It’s not where it needs to be,” Johnson said. “We’re winning in spite of our passing game, not because of it. And none of us are pleased with that.”
Johnson’s comment could be interpreted as harsh. However, it may be what Chicago’s offense must hear following an ugly Week 13 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
In Chicago’s 24-15 win over Philadelphia, Bears second-year QB Caleb Williams completed 17-of-36 passes (47.2 percent) for a season-low 154 yards. He also tossed one touchdown pass and one interception.
Accuracy has been a problem for Williams throughout his first season under Johnson. Through 12 starts, he ranks 33rd among 33 eligible QBs in completion percentage (58.1 percent).
Citing OptaSTATS, NFL researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno shared that Williams would be the first QB to rank last in the NFL in completion percentage on a team with the No. 1 seed since 1975. The last QB to rank in the bottom five in completion percentage on a No. 1 seed was Rex Grossman in 2006. Coincidentally, he played for the Bears, who reached Super Bowl XLI that season.