Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons this week, and it's not just the lopsided loss to the Packers that has people talking. A former NFL star is now publicly calling out Johnson's sideline theatrics, arguing they're doing more harm than good for a team trying to find its footing.
On the latest episode of The OG Football Show, former Pro Bowl guard Mark Schlereth didn't hold back when discussing Johnson's overly animated demeanor on the sidelines. Schlereth, a three-time Super Bowl champion, warned that Johnson's antics could easily draw costly penalties and, more importantly, alienate the very players he's trying to lead.
“You don’t have to go out there and tackle anybody,” Schlereth said. “You don’t have to do anything all week. Understand, you know, you’re a coach. We’re simple creatures as players. And that motivation is something that resonates with us. And so you are doing stuff that’s putting your team in a tougher position to win. So, hey, as a broadcaster, I love it. As a player? Dude, stop it. Just stop it.”
Schlereth, now a broadcaster himself, acknowledged that Johnson's fiery style makes for great television and podcast material. But he insists that from a player's perspective, the constant yelling and chest-thumping comes off as fake toughness—something that doesn't sit well in the locker room.
“As a broadcaster and a guy who does podcasts, don’t ever change. I love it, but just understand the player in me would smack you upside the head because you’re writing checks that I have to cash,” Schlereth said. “Let me tell you something right now, Ben Johnson. If you had a lineup, if you had to put a helmet and shoulder pads on, we’d need a smoke bomb to get you out of the locker room; you’d be standing in a puddle of (expletive).”
Johnson's sideline energy first drew widespread attention after the Bears' dramatic playoff win over the Green Bay Packers earlier this year. In a now-viral video, he cursed out the Packers and declared, “this one meant something to us.” That raw emotion endeared him to many fans, but it also set a high bar for intensity.
Fast forward to this past week, and Johnson's demeanor was a stark contrast after the Bears were dismantled 31-7 by the Packers—a humbling defeat that exposed just how far this team still has to go. The postgame handshake between Johnson and Matt LaFleur was reportedly ice cold, adding another layer of tension to the rivalry.
Schlereth's critique isn't just about style; it's about substance. He argues that a coach's primary job is to put his team in the best position to win, and constant sideline eruptions can be a distraction. Players may not say it to Johnson's face, but they notice, and it can erode respect over time.
The Bears are already dealing with significant challenges, including Montez Sweat's two-game suspension for a PED violation, which weakens their defense. Adding unnecessary sideline drama only compounds the issues. While Johnson's personality is unlikely to change overnight, the loss to Green Bay should serve as a sobering reminder that passion alone doesn't win games.
As Schlereth put it, there's a fine line between motivating and undermining. For now, Johnson's antics are entertaining the masses, but if the losses keep piling up, the criticism will only get louder.
