Ben Johnson, hailed as one of the NFL’s premier play designers and play callers, is staring down an unprecedented challenge that could redefine his reputation this Monday night. If Caleb Williams’ hamstring injury keeps him sidelined, Johnson will be calling plays for a quarterback who wasn’t the No. 1 overall pick in the draft for the very first time in his career. This isn’t just another game; it is a true test for the highly regarded offensive coordinator.
The “Cream of the Crop” Has Been Johnson’s Standard
Johnson’s rapid ascent in the coaching ranks has been incredible, no doubt about it. He became Detroit’s offensive coordinator back in 2022, and for three straight years, he had Jared Goff under center. Goff was the No. 1 overall pick 10 years ago, a certified blue-chip talent from day one. When Johnson moved to the Bears in 2025, he immediately got to work with Caleb Williams, the top choice in the 2024 draft. Williams has started every single game since Johnson’s arrival. Think about that for a second: Johnson’s entire play-calling experience, every single snap he has commanded an offense, has been with quarterbacks who were perceived as the absolute cream of the crop entering the league. His play-calling magic has always been backed by elite talent.
Week 3 Puts Everything on the Line
This is where it gets wild. With Williams potentially out due to that hamstring issue, Johnson could be handing off play calls to Tyson Bagent, assuming Bagent clears concussion protocol, or even veteran Case Keenum. Neither of those guys were the top pick in their draft class, not by a long shot. They are solid pros, no doubt, but they don’t carry that “No. 1 overall pick” pedigree that Johnson has exclusively worked with. This isn’t just about managing an injury, it is a crucible for Johnson. That old saying, “coaches are only as good as their players,” is about to be put to the ultimate test for one of the league’s most celebrated offensive minds. He has had plenty to do with maximizing Goff and Williams, but now he faces the real challenge.
This key Week 3 game against the 2-0 Eagles is going to be a must-watch. Can Johnson still scheme up an elite offense with a different style of quarterback? Can he elevate a non-top-tier guy in a high-stakes early season matchup? Everything we thought we knew about Johnson as a play caller hinges on this performance. Get ready to see if the genius is in the scheme, or if it really has been the elite talent all along.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply