Ben Johnson appears to call out Bears’ work ethic, ‘we’re going to find out…’

Ben Johnson doesn’t mince his words on the Chicago Bears’ effort in training

Ben Johnson has laid down a serious challenge to his Chicago Bears players on who wants to step up and show what they’re made of against the Dallas Cowboys.

From an offensive perspective, the Cowboys’ defense was shredded by the New York Giants, and it could be the perfect opportunity for this new offense to thrive.

Speaking with the media, sourced via Marquee Sports Network on X, Johnson said: “I kind of knew that first game [against the Minnesota Vikings] that the tight end position wasn’t going to be featured as much.

“I was hopeful that this game we would bounce back a little bit more, both with Cole [Kmet] and Colston [Loveland]. I think Luther [Burden III] is slowly gaining trust as we go here.

“We’re trying to get him more packages as we’re going. The way that we’ve talked about as a coaching staff going into this week is we’re going to have a lot more competition.

“I’ve alluded to it before. What these guys look like when the ball’s not in their hands, that’s a big deal for us. There were some plays there yesterday that we weren’t quite as pleased with what that looked like on tape.

“So we’re going to find out this week at practice who wants to practice hard and who wants to be a little bit more involved with the game plan here going into Sunday.”

If the New York Giants‘ win over the Cowboys was anything to go by, the wide receivers should be in for a big day, but that is all still Caleb Williams-dependent.

Caleb Williams has a big chance to step up against Dallas Cowboys defense

The Cowboys will have inevitably looked to address their significant weaknesses that allowed Russell Wilson to throw for 450 yards (overtime included).

However, if there was ever a time for Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams’ training camp work to translate onto the field, it would be against the Cowboys’ secondary.

Even Trevon Diggs was being tormented by Wilson. It also looks as if recently extended star defensive back Daron Bland will be out for the game as his foot injury rehabilitation continues.

Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will have a plan to stop Caleb Williams in the air, but a lot of it will depend on the pass rush being able to get to him.

The revamped Bears’ offensive line is still gelling, with Williams sacked four times against the Lions. Two of those were Williams’ responsibility, while the line missed on the other two. Lots to keep an eye out for.