Ben Johnson sends blunt message after Bears’ blowout preseason win originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago Bears opened the preseason with a convincing victory, but Ben Johnson found one significant reason for concern. Chicago defeated the Cleveland Browns 34-10 at Soldier Field on Saturday, scoring 34 unanswered points after falling behind 10-0. The Bears finished with 430 total yards and received productive performances from all three quarterbacks who entered the game.
Johnson still was not pleased with how frequently those quarterbacks faced pressure.
“I felt like our quarterback got hit more than I would like,” Johnson said during his postgame press conference.
Tyson Bagent played the entire first half and completed 13 of 22 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also was sacked twice while working behind an offensive line that featured Kiran Amegadjie and Jedrick Wills Jr. rotating at left tackle. Johnson declined to declare a winner in that competition. He explained that evaluating offensive line play often requires reviewing the end-zone film, but his immediate reaction was clear.
The pressure did not disappear when Case Keenum and Miller Moss entered after halftime.
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Bears’ Offensive Line Battle Remains UnsettledChicago rested starting quarterback Caleb Williams and several members of its starting offense. D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai also did not play, contributing to an inconsistent rushing performance. The Bears gained 82 yards on 21 carries, averaging 3.9 yards per attempt. Coleman Bennett scored on a three-yard run in the fourth quarter, but Johnson described the overall rushing attack as “spotty.”
Cleveland’s defensive front deserves some credit, but Chicago’s offensive line will face a much greater test next week. The Bears will hold joint practices with the Cincinnati Bengals before their second preseason game Aug. 22. Johnson indicated those sessions will help the coaching staff determine where the offense stands.
The 34-10 final score provided plenty to like. Chicago generated explosive plays, forced three turnovers and dominated the second half. Johnson’s postgame comments also made it clear that winning a preseason game will not stop him from demanding better protection before Williams returns to the field.
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