Chicago Bears prepare for Myles
Garrett after tough loss to Packers
[December 11, 2025]
By JAY COHEN
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears have faced a few
dangerous pass rushers this season, including Detroit's Aidan
Hutchinson, Las Vegas' Maxx Crosby and Green Bay's Micah Parsons.
Next up might be their biggest challenge so far.
Looking to bounce back from last weekend's loss to Parsons and the
Packers, the Bears take on Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns on
Sunday at what is expected to be a frigid Soldier Field. Garrett
arrives in town amid a historic season — and he certainly has the
attention of the Bears.
“He’s just a complete player,” Chicago coach Ben Johnson said
Wednesday. “I think when you look at the size and strength and
speed, it’s just a unique package where he really has it all.”
Garrett has at least one sack in his last seven games and a
career-high 20 in 13 starts this year. The NFL record is 22 1/2
shared by Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and
Pittsburgh’s TJ Watt.
“Obviously, he’s right there at the sack record, almost there at the
sack record,” Bears quarterback Caleb Williams said. “And so I’m
going to try and make sure that he doesn’t get the sack record on us
and on me.”
Garrett has recorded at least three sacks in three games this
season, including five in a 32-13 loss at New England on Oct. 26. He
is the leader of a Cleveland defense that allows an NFL-low 165.2
yards passing per game and ranks second in the league overall.
While Garrett is the headliner, he is surrounded by speed and
athleticism. Johnson raved about the play of rookie linebacker
Carson Schwesinger, a second-round pick in the draft.
“I mean, he’s a really good player,” Johnson said. “He’s going to be
a good player for a long time as well. He’s all over the place.
Highly instinctive.”
Garrett's presence — along with Cleveland's aggressive style under
defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz — puts pressure on Chicago's
offensive line to protect Williams and clear the way for D'Andre
Swift and Kyle Monangai to run the ball.
[to top of second column] |
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson speaks during a news conference
after an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday,
Dec. 7, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Rookie left tackle Ozzy Trapilo figures to see a
lot of Garrett, but he won't have to go it alone.
“We’ll certainly have a plan and be aware of how we can help, not
just Ozzy, but it’s also Darnell (right tackle Darnell Wright) as
well,” Johnson said. “Because the scheme that they run is a little
bit different. ... I mean, these guys are in sprinter mode, and
they’re looking to go right to that launch point at the quarterback
every single snap, and if we happen to hand the ball off, and
they’ll try to tackle the ball carrier along the way.”
The stakes are high for Chicago, which is going for the franchise's
first playoff appearance since 2020. The Bears (9-4) were on top of
the NFC North before Sunday's 28-21 loss at Green Bay.
Even with its stellar defense, Cleveland (3-10) has dropped two in a
row and five of six overall. After the Browns game, the Bears host
the division-leading Packers on Dec. 20.
“We have to keep stacking wins,” safety Kevin Byard said. “Like
Coach (Johnson) said, getting to nine wins is cool but it’s not
going to get us in the playoffs, so we need at least two wins if we
want to get in the playoffs and I think three or four to win the
division. That’s what we’re focused on. We’re focused on this week
and then, obviously Green Bay when Green Bay comes.”
Notes: Johnson wasn't ready to provide an update on defensive back
Kyler Gordon, who injured his groin during warmups before the
matchup with the Packers. Asked if Gordon could return this season,
Johnson responded: “To be determined. I haven’t heard over the last
couple of days the extent of it, but coming out of that one, it
didn’t look very good.”
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
