The perplexing Bears defensive omission made by Ben Johnson
https://youtu.be/5ZnVTfFg-cE
Bears fans are fuming over Ben Johnson’s shocking decision to overlook Montez Sweat! This video unpacks the controversy, exploring why Johnson might have snubbed the star defender and what it means for the Chicago Bears' future. From Sweat’s impact on the field to the implications of this decision, we break down all the angles. Could this spark bigger issues within the organization? Watch now to dive into the drama and share your take on this fiery topic!
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#BearsFans #BenJohnson #MontezSweat #ChicagoBears #NFLDrama #FootballNews #BearsNation #BearsUpdates #NFLRumors #Controversy #StarDefender #ChicagoFootball #TeamDecisions #SportsAnalysis #BreakingNews #FutureOfBears #BearsReactions #NFLAnalysis #CoachingMoves #BearsControversy
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**Fair Use Disclaimer**
This video contains copyrighted material used under the fair use provisions of Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act. It is for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, and research. No copyright infringement is intended.
https://youtu.be/5ZnVTfFg-cE
Bears fans are fuming over Ben Johnson’s shocking decision to overlook Montez Sweat! This video unpacks the controversy, exploring why Johnson might have snubbed the star defender and what it means for the Chicago Bears' future. From Sweat’s impact on the field to the implications of this decision, we break down all the angles. Could this spark bigger issues within the organization? Watch now to dive into the drama and share your take on this fiery topic!
----------
#BearsFans #BenJohnson #MontezSweat #ChicagoBears #NFLDrama #FootballNews #BearsNation #BearsUpdates #NFLRumors #Controversy #StarDefender #ChicagoFootball #TeamDecisions #SportsAnalysis #BreakingNews #FutureOfBears #BearsReactions #NFLAnalysis #CoachingMoves #BearsControversy
----------
**Fair Use Disclaimer**
This video contains copyrighted material used under the fair use provisions of Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act. It is for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, and research. No copyright infringement is intended.
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SportsTranscript
00:00Why now? Why this team? Why this job, Ben?
00:05Yeah, certainly the place played a huge part of it, the people here.
00:10I'm talking about George McCaskey, Kevin Warren, Ryan Poles.
00:15I really felt a great vibe on the interview.
00:19We're tackling a hot topic that's got everyone talking,
00:21Ben Johnson's eyebrow-raising comments, or lack thereof,
00:25about the Chicago Bears' defense,
00:28specifically Montez Sweat, the star edge rusher
00:31who's supposed to be the cornerstone of the defensive line.
00:34What's going on here? Was it a slip of the tongue or something deeper?
00:38Ben Johnson, the Bears' offensive coordinator,
00:41recently sat down for what the team called a fireside chat.
00:45No actual fire, but plenty of sparks in the conversation.
00:49When talking about the Bears' defense,
00:51Johnson had plenty of praise for the linebackers.
00:53He also complimented the defensive line's ability to stop the run.
00:57But here's the kicker. He didn't mention Montez Sweat. Not once.
01:02Now, for those who've been following the Bears closely,
01:05this omission feels strange.
01:07Montez Sweat is a 25-million-a-year player.
01:11He's the guy they brought in to be the game-changer on the edge.
01:15How does someone like that not come up in the conversation?
01:20First, let's talk about Montez Sweat's 2024 season.
01:24Statistically, it wasn't great. He finished with just 5.5 sacks.
01:27For a guy who's supposed to be your marquee pass rusher, that's underwhelming.
01:31But numbers don't always tell the full story.
01:33In 2023, Sweat was a menace.
01:36He had memorable games against the Lions,
01:39including one where he practically lived in Jared Goff's backfield.
01:44Six pressures in one game. That's elite production.
01:48So what happened in 2024?
01:51Did the Bears' scheme fail him? Did injuries catch up?
01:54Or is this just one of those down years every player goes through?
01:58Ben Johnson's comments, or omissions, might give us a clue.
02:04When he talked about the defense, he said the defensive line lacked star power.
02:09Hold on a second. Lacked star power?
02:11What about Montez Sweat, the guy who's supposed to be the star?
02:14Is this Johnson's way of subtly saying Sweat isn't living up to his contract?
02:19Or is he simply emphasizing the need for more talent around Sweat?
02:26Let's dig deeper. The Bears' defensive line in 2024 wasn't exactly a murderer's row.
02:33Andrew Billings, the surprise standout at defensive tackle, missed half the season with injuries.
02:38Without Billings, the run defense struggled.
02:41And Sweat? He was often a one-man show.
02:44Teams double teamed him, chipped him with tight ends, and did everything they could to neutralize him.
02:50Football is the ultimate team sport.
02:53And one edge rusher can only do so much.
02:56But here's the thing. Star players rise above.
02:58They find ways to impact the game even when the odds are stacked against them.
03:02That's what separates the good from the great.
03:04In 2024, Montez Sweat didn't do enough of that.
03:08Sure, there were flashes, but flashes don't justify $25 million a year.
03:13Consistency does.
03:15Game-changing moments do.
03:18And let's not forget Johnson's experience with Sweat.
03:22Back in 2023, Sweat gave the Lions fits.
03:25He sacked Jared Goff in both games that season, including a violent hit that had fans and analysts buzzing.
03:32He also racked up five quarterback hits and six pressures in their second matchup.
03:36Those are the kind of performances you'd think would stick in Johnson's memory.
03:40So why the omission?
03:42One possibility is that Johnson's comments weren't a critique of Sweat,
03:46but a call to action for the Bears' front office.
03:49Think about it. If you're Johnson, you want more help for your defense.
03:52You want another edge rusher to take the pressure off Sweat.
03:55You want depth on the defensive line so that injuries to guys like Billings don't derail the season.
04:00By saying the defensive line lacks star power,
04:04Johnson might be pushing for the team to invest in that area during the offseason.
04:10And let's be real. He's not wrong.
04:12One edge rusher, no matter how talented, isn't enough.
04:15The best defensive lines in the NFL are loaded with talent.
04:19Look at the Philadelphia Eagles.
04:21They've got guys like Hayson Reddick, Josh Sweat, and Jalen Carter.
04:25They come at you in waves.
04:27That's what the Bears need to aim for.
04:30Another possibility is that Johnson's comments were more about mindset than personnel.
04:34When he said the defensive line lacked star power, maybe he wasn't talking about talent.
04:39Maybe he was talking about mentality.
04:41Great defenses have an edge, a swagger.
04:44They impose their will on opponents.
04:46In 2024, the Bears' defense didn't do enough of that.
04:50They were good at stopping the run when Billings was healthy,
04:53but they didn't generate enough pressure on the quarterback.
04:57They didn't force enough turnovers.
04:59They didn't make enough game-changing plays.
05:02So, where does that leave us?
05:04For starters, the Bears need to figure out what they have in Montez Sweat.
05:08Is he the guy who dominated in 2023?
05:12Or is he the guy who disappeared too often in 2024?
05:16The truth is probably somewhere in between.
05:18Sweat is a talented player.
05:20But he's not a one-man wrecking crew.
05:23He needs help.
05:24That brings us to the offseason.
05:26The Bears have assets.
05:28They've got cap space.
05:29They've got draft picks.
05:30They've got an opportunity to build a defensive line that can dominate.
05:34The question is, will they take it?
05:37Will they target another edge rusher in free agency or the draft?
05:41Will they add depth at defensive tackle?
05:44Will they give Montez Sweat the support he needs to thrive?
05:48One name to watch in free agency is Danielle Hunter.
05:51The Vikings star had 13 sacks in 2024 and is hitting the open market.
05:57Pairing Hunter with Sweat would give the Bears a dynamic duo on the edge.
06:01In the draft, a player like Jared Vers from Florida State could be a game-changer.
06:06He's explosive, relentless, and exactly the kind of player who could elevate the defensive line.
06:12But it's not just about adding talent.
06:14It's about maximizing the talent you already have.
06:18That starts with coaching.
06:19Matt Eberflues, a defensive-minded head coach,
06:22needs to find ways to put Sweat in positions to succeed.
06:26That might mean moving him around the line using stunts and twists
06:30or even dropping him into coverage occasionally to keep offenses guessing.
06:34It's also about accountability.
06:36If Sweat wants to be the face of this defense, he needs to play like it every week.
06:40That means more than just racking up sacks.
06:42It means setting the edge in the run game,
06:44hustling on every play, and being a leader on and off the field.
06:48So what do we make of Ben Johnson's omission?
06:51Was it a subtle critique of Montez Sweat?
06:54A challenge to the front office?
06:56A message to the entire defense?
06:58Maybe it was all of the above.
06:59What's clear is that the Bears have work to do.
07:02They've got a talented edge rusher in Sweat, but they need more.
07:05More help, more consistency, more star power.
07:08Bears fans, what do you think?
07:10Was Johnson's omission a big deal, or are we reading too much into it?
07:13Do you believe in Montez Sweat as the cornerstone of this defense?
07:16Or should the Bears look for other options?
07:19Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and as always,
07:21don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell.
07:24We've got plenty more Bears content coming your way.
07:28Bear down!