Bears' Ben Johnson says his team
was 'a mess' in win over Raiders
[September 30, 2025]
By GENE CHAMBERLAIN
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — For the first time since the season opener,
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson disliked much of what he saw from
his team.
That changed near the very end of Sunday's game against the Las
Vegas Raiders.
Johnson couldn't complain about the result — a flawed 25-24 victory
sealed by Josh Blackwell’s blocked field goal in the final minute —
after the Bears' offense struggled throughout and the defense failed
to stop the run.
After improving to 2-2 with the franchise's 800th victory, the Bears
have a bye week to try to fix their huge issues.
“When you look at it as a whole, it was just … it was a mess, man,”
Johnson said Monday. “I’m just not proud of what we put on tape.
“I think it was a reflection of myself. I always take it personally.
I saw us getting better the first three weeks and in a lot of ways
on offense and this was just a little bit of a step back for us.”
The Bears ran for only 2.7 yards per carry while giving up 7.7 yards
per rush. They couldn’t block Maxx Crosby and switched tackles,
pulling left-side starter Braxton Jones and inserting rookie Ozzy
Trapilo into the lineup at right tackle while moving Theo Benedet to
left tackle.
What did work was Caleb Williams in comeback mode. His 22-of-37
effort for 212 yards included a final drive for D’Andre Swift’s
go-ahead, 2-yard touchdown run in the final two minutes. Williams'
performance in the clutch made up for defensive flaws and running
game trouble.
“End of the day, the most important thing is limiting the opposing
offense in the number of points scored,” Johnson said. “If that
means that we’re giving up some rushing yards but yet we’re keeping
them low on the scoreboard, we’ll manage with that.
“No one likes seeing 6 yards, 7 yards per carry. That’s not what
Chicago Bears football is about. That’s not what we want to be
about. So we’re working very diligently on getting better in that
regard.”
What’s working
The pass coverage couldn’t have been better. Two interceptions by
safety Kevin Byard, another by cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and
holding the Raiders to 2 of 8 on third down made it clear the Bears
have depth as they are playing without starting cornerbacks Jaylon
Johnson and Kyler Gordon.
Going into Monday night's games, Chicago's defense was the best in
the NFL on third down, allowing opponents to convert 29.3% of the
time.
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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson takes questions during a news
conference after the team's NFL football game against the Dallas
Cowboys Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
What needs help
The defensive line failed to stop the run and didn’t sack Geno
Smith, either. The Bears allowed rookie Ashton Jeanty to rush for
138 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown. They were playing without
defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (knee) and linebacker T.J. Edwards
(hamstring).
Stock up
Williams was solid in the two-minute offense. He drove the Bears 37
yards to a field goal at the end of the first half and then the
winning touchdown.
“So it’s almost like that little bit of pressure you put on him he
just thrives in and he really excels,” Johnson said. “That’s been
consistent ever since we came into this building.
“So I’m not surprised it turned out that way. He was really good at
the end of the first half. He was really good at the end of the
game.”
Stock down
Jones was pulled at halftime, even though the Bears allowed just one
sack. It’s not clear whether starting right tackle Darnell Wright
will return from an arm injury for Chicago's next game, or if
Trapilo or the undrafted Benedet will be starting in one of the
tackle spots again.
Jones has been a starter since he was a fifth-round rookie in 2022
and is a free agent after this season.
Injuries
There were no new injuries reported, but rookie tight end Colston
Loveland missed the game because of a hip injury. He had been listed
as questionable.
Key number
658 — Rushing yards allowed by the Bears through four games. Chicago
ranks last in the NFL against the run. The Raiders rushed for 240
yards, the most the Bears had allowed since they gave up 265 to
Detroit on Jan. 1, 2024.
Next steps
After the bye, play at Washington on Monday, Oct. 13.
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