The Chicago Bears entered the 2025 NFL Draft with plenty of ammunition in their passing attack with players such as DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet. However, the Bears decided to add even more weaponry, drafting tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden with their first two picks.
Still, even with their aforementioned receiving trio, Chicago finished their 2024 campaign 31st in passing, averaging just 181.5 yards per game. After Johnson helped Detroit Lions finish second in passing, averaging 263.2 YPG, he certainly wanted to bring that spark to the Bears.
But now he must find a way to ensure all the cooks in the kitchen all contribute to the final dish. There’s no such thing as too much pass catcher, especially in a Johnson offense. However, the new head coach must ensure everyone in the Bears offense is operating at full capacity. After playing a major role in each draft decision, Johnson has a plan in place, via Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune.
“You’re right. We have a lot of weapons,” Johnson said. “So how are you going to run your route when you might not be No. 1 in the progression? How are you going to block for your teammate when he has the ball? Because when you do those things right, as a coaching staff, we’re going to want to get you the ball a little bit more. It all ties together.”
General manager Ryan Poles backed up Johnson’s vision, doubling down on the idea of Chicago playing selfless football.
“Someone is going to be hot one week. Another person’s going to be hot the next,” Poles said. “And we have to support that person. If that means you’re blocking, you’re blocking. Whatever that means, you have to do your part to the highest level so we can win football games.”
Chicago Bears undergo offensive revival
Comparing the 2024 Bears offense to what is expected of the 2025 version seems a bit unfair. Quarterback Caleb Williams was playing behind a paper thin offensive line and Chicago saw numerous changes to their coaching staff, not allowing a moment to stand on solid ground. Still, it was abundantly clear just how bad things got on offense.
Looking at the pass game specifically, no player broke 1,000 receiving yards in 2024. Three players did have at least 700 yards receiving, with DJ Moore leading the way with his 966. Keenan Allen finished second with 744 yards. But especially after the selection of Burden, it seems unlikely that Allen will return. His departure opens open 70 receptions and a team-leading seven touchdowns.
Even with Johnson, the Bears’ offense won’t look like the Lions’ in 2025. While Chicago should be vastly improved, the rosters of both franchises are built completely different. Still, it’s important to note that the Lions had two players reach 1,000 receiving yards. Five players had at least three touchdown grabs.
Moore and Odunze should remain atop Chicago’s pecking order. The fact the Bears used the No. 10 overall pick on Loveland should put him in line to be the leading tight end. Still, Kmet will do damage in short yardage and red zone situations. Many of the touchdowns that went to Allen could now come Kmet’s way. Burden offered simply too much talent for the Bears to pass up on. He’ll be a playmaker between Moore and Odunze and a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators.
It may look confusing on the surface, and Johnson will surely have plenty of planning to do. But the entire goal of Chicago’s offseason was making their offense more dynamic. At times, certain pass catchers may not make the biggest impact on the box score. But now the Bears have numerous different weapons to work with. Defenses won’t be able to keep up with all of them.
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