Is Ben Johnson only a genius working with NFL No. 1 picks?

It’s pretty nice being Ben Johnson. The Chicago Bears head coach gets all the accolades as an elite NFL mind, and he’s gotten to work with some of the best quarterbacks in the league.

>However, Chicago’s recent QB troubles might finally show the rest of the NFL what caliber of coach Johnson actually is. After all, most coaches don’t get to exclusively work with former No. 1 overall picks.

>The Bears head coach has the luxury of working with Caleb Williams and previously coached up Jared Goff in Detroit. Former NFL signal caller Chase Daniel points out a unique stat regarding Johnson heading into Week 3.

>Johnson’s matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles will be the first time as a head coach or offensive coordinator where he hasn’t had a No. 1 pick behind center at the start of a game.

>MORE: Bears facing more QB problems after Caleb Williams’ injury

Johnson’s living every NFL coach’s dreamChicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams passes the ball during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Williams will miss some time after suffering a hamstring injury in Chicago’s 9-3 loss against the Minnesota Vikings, but the NFC North team appears to have avoided a season-ending blow. However, the important thing for Johnson and his team is that Williams likely won’t play in Week 3 on Monday Night Football.

>That leaves Chicago with either veteran Case Keenum or Tyson Bagent, who is currently in NFL concussion protocol. This is where we finally learn what caliber of coach Johnson is going to be.

>That’s not a knock on the widely-praised offensive mastermind, but a mere reality. The Bears don’t pose the same threat under center if Williams isn’t available.

>In just over a season with the former USC star playing in Johnson’s system, Williams has over 4,300 yards and 29 passing touchdowns. Meanwhile, his dual-threat ability opens up more play-calling creativity for the Bears coach.

>We haven’t seen Johnson tested at the most important position in football because he’s gotten comfortable with players like Goff and Williams. Both former number one picks are clearly among the league’s best QBs, but other top coaches don’t always have that luxury.

>MORE: Bears’ hype train off the tracks after disastrous Week 2 loss

Can he do it with a backup? San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan looks on prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Johnson’s a great offensive mind, but let’s see how he performs with a backup QB. Look at one of the best coaches in the league, Kyle Shanahan.

>The San Francisco 49ers head coach converted a seventh-round pick into a bonafide All-Pro caliber player with Brock Purdy’s growth. Purdy’s emergence was even more shocking considering the 49ers drafted him just one season after taking Trey Lance with the third pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

>Purdy’s completing over 80 percent of his passes in 2026 and has five passing touchdowns through two games. His progression is undoubtedly attributed to Shanahan’s elite play calling.

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