Clay Harbor

This stat is why I love Ben Johnson’s mindset as a play-caller.

Among 68 play callers with 70+ games since 1999, Johnson ranks No. 1 in pass rate on:

▪️ 2nd & 1
▪️ 2nd & 1-2
▪️ 2nd & 1-3

That is not being reckless. That is understanding leverage.

Second-and-short is a coupon. It is a free swing. The defense has to respect the run, the sneak, play action, the quick game, and if they get nosy, you throw it over their head.

Most coaches treat 2nd and short like a layup.

Ben Johnson treats it like a green light from half court.

That is how you steal explosives. That is how you make safeties hesitate. That is how you turn tight ends into weapons. And that is how you keep a defense guessing for four quarters.

For Caleb Williams and this Bears offense, I want more of this in 2026. Be aggressive. Dictate. Make the defense wrong.

How good can Colston Loveland be?

As a former tight end, I know how hard that position is. You have to understand the pass game, run game, protections, motions, spacing, leverage, fronts, coverages — all of it.

That’s why his finish to last season stood out.

From Week 9 on, Loveland was 2nd among NFL tight ends in receptions and receiving yards. That is rare rookie tight end production.

He can line up attached, in the slot, move across the formation, win on seams, crossers, overs, play-action, boots, screens, and in the red zone.

And the matchup problems are obvious.

Linebacker on him? He can separate.
Safety on him? He has size.
Nickel defense? Bears can run it.
Heavy personnel? Ben Johnson can move him around and throw it.

I’m not saying he’s the best tight end in football yet.

But his ceiling is that high.

Loveland isn’t just a good young player. He can be one of the pieces that makes this entire Bears offense different.