The Chicago Bears’ Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers will be remembered for the comeback… But it may be defined just as much by how aggressively Ben Johnson chose to chase it.
Down 21-3 at halftime, Johnson repeatedly pushed the limits of conventional postseason coaching. Fourth downs became opportunities, not emergencies. Some worked. Some didn’t. And for much of the night, the decisions stirred frustration, confusion, and debate inside Soldier Field and across Chicago.
Johnson heard all of it. And after reviewing the tape, he made one thing clear: he wouldn’t change a thing.
“I’m never going to apologize for being aggressive or doing things that might be a little bit unorthodox if it’s what we deem is best for us to win a ball game,” Johnson said Monday.
Aggression by design, not desperation
GettyBears QB Caleb Williams
The Chicago Bears went for it on fourth down four times in the first half alone, a stretch that included a failed fourth and 4 inside their own territory and a miscommunication between Caleb Williams and Luther Burden III that resulted in a Packers interception.
“The aggressive fourth down mentality had something to do with time of possession and making sure we’re maximizing our possessions,” Johnson explained. “It’s a strategy we talked about as a team. The whole team was highly aware of it and had a lot of confidence.”
Ben Johnson pushed back on the idea that the decisions reflected a lack of faith in his defense, a narrative that gained traction as Green Bay built its early lead.
“I think where it gets misconstrued is there’s a lack of confidence in your defense when you do that,” Johnson said. “I think the opposite, I think it’s because I have confidence in our defense and their ability to stop teams in the red zone that it makes you more willing to pull out a strategy like that.”
That confidence was validated after halftime. Cause after surrendering 21 points in the first half, the Bears’ defense allowed just six the rest of the way.
“We kept chipping away,” he said. “Eventually we broke through that dam and turned field goals into touchdowns there at the end.”
The start of a new era in Chicago
GettyBears QB Caleb Williams and Packers QB Jordan Love
Ben Johnson repeatedly emphasized that postseason football demands urgency, even when it looks uncomfortable.
“Every point matters, every play matters. Every blade of grass matters,” he said. “We learned that throughout those 60 minutes.”
That mindset extended beyond the play sheet. Despite the deficit, Johnson said there was no panic with the Bears at halftime.
“No one was panicking,” he said. “There’s a belief with this team that shows up each and every week. It’s kind of who we are at this point.”
There will always be debate about where aggression crosses the line. But after reviewing the tape and walking out of the Wild Card round with a win, Johnson left with no regrets about his philosophy.
He trusted his plan. He trusted his players. And he’s not apologizing for any of it.
Bears Ben Johnson ‘Never Going to Apologize’ for Absurd Fourth Down Approach