ClutchPoints
Entering the 2026 season, the Chicago Bears have collected a number of potent pass catchers for quarterback Caleb Williams to throw to. However, many still have to prove they can succeed at the NFL level consistently.
Working in their favor is head coach Ben Johnson. If he wasn’t the one calling the shots, the Bears may have been even lower than 15th on Bill Barnwell of ESPN’s team playmaker rankings.
“This is a young group with real upside, but I also get the sense that it wouldn’t be quite as appealing or productive with a less compelling playcaller,” Barnwell said.
During the 2024 season, the Bears ranked dead last in total offense, averaging 284.6 yards per game. Upon Johnson’s arrival, Chicago shot up to sixth, averaging 369.2 YPG. Moving forward, the head coach will be expecting to help the franchise’s offense stay world class.
The current crop of pass catchers must prove they can embrace and enact Johnson’s scheme. At wide receiver, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden – a former first and second-round pick respectively – will be the top options. The Bears traded DJ Moore earlier in the offseason, showing their confidence in the top two options. Furthermore, fellow wide receivers Kalif Raymond and Zavion Thomas should make an impact.
Chicago has a fearsome tight end tandem in Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet. Plus they added another in third-rounder Sam Roush. D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai should continue to lead the rushing attack, while the new-look offense line will once again be asked to step up.
If Johnson wasn’t around, perhaps all those pieces wouldn’t look as cohesive. But this is the offense the head coach has built. If the Bears continue reaching new heights offensively, their playmakers will only garner more respect.
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