Ben Johnson Calls Out Bears' Offense After Loss to Lions Amid 2026 NFL Playoff Race

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson didn't like the effort of his offense in Sunday's 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Johnson said he "was not pleased" with how the unit performed.

"We can't dig ourselves in a hole like that," he told reporters. "I was disappointed with the offense as a whole. I let those guys know that. And we'll be better for it."

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Johnson added that he and the staff installed "one of our simpler plans" for the game, which magnified his wider frustration.

The Bears were out-gained 433-270, and they didn't score their first points until the fourth quarter. Quarterback Caleb Williams finished 20-of-33 for 212 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai combined to run for 54 yards on 16 carries.

The defense didn't exactly play well, either, and Chicago was perhaps a bit fortunate the Lions only had 19 points despite their gaudy yardage total. Detroit came away with just one touchdown from its four trips inside the red zone.

Still, Johnson singled out the offense.

"We can't afford to have a phase — one of our three phases — play like we did today," he said. "So we're going to have to pick it up. Like I said, I get fired up just thinking about it right now, and I know our guys too."

The Bears had already clinched the NFC North, and they managed to hold onto the No. 2 seed thanks to the Washington Commanders beating the Philadelphia Eagles 24-17.

The absence of any major postseason stakes may have led Chicago to mostly go through the motions in Week 18.

Johnson will know more is required in the Wild Card Round against the rival Green Bay Packers. His postgame comments Sunday were his way to get his squad refocused before they start their prep work this week.