Full Breakdown
Bears Coach Ben Johnson Sets Historic Scoring Ambitions for 2026
8/14/2026, 11:14:50 AM
Core Ambition: Pursuing the NFL’s Highest-Scoring Offense
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has declared that the team’s 2026 objective goes beyond a Super Bowl appearance. He wants the Bears to eclipse the 2013 Denver Broncos’ record of 37.9 points per game, achieve shutouts, and produce blowout victories. Johnson also cited the 21-game consecutive-win streak set by the 2003-04 New England Patriots as a target, and he expressed a desire for an undefeated season.
Background & Context
In Johnson’s first season, the Bears finished 11-6, captured the NFC North title, and won a playoff game before falling in the divisional round. The offense ranked ninth in the league, averaging 25.9 points per game. By contrast, the 2013 Broncos hold the modern NFL record for points per game at 37.9, a full 12.1 points higher than Chicago’s 2025 output. Johnson’s statements were made in a profile for *The Athletic* and reiterated in multiple interviews.
Data & Statistics
- 2013 Denver Broncos: 37.9 points per game.
- 2025 Chicago Bears: 25.9 points per game, ninth overall.
- Required increase for Chicago to match the Broncos: +12.1 points per game.
- Largest single-season points-per-game jump: 2017 Los Angeles Rams, +15.9.
- Consecutive-win record: 21 games by the 2003-04 Patriots.
These figures illustrate the magnitude of the gap Johnson expects his offense to close.
Official Statements & Responses
Johnson told *The Athletic* that while “31 other teams” enter training camp aiming solely for a Super Bowl, he “wants more than that.” He framed the scoring target as a motivational benchmark for players, emphasizing that achieving shutouts and blowouts would elevate the team’s culture. The Bears organization has not released a formal plan outlining how the record will be pursued, but the coach’s remarks signal that offensive schematics and personnel decisions will be oriented toward high-tempo, high-scoring production.
Criticism & Opposition
Sharp Football Analysis published a critique arguing that chasing the points-per-game record is strategically unsound. The analysis notes that, since 2010, 22 teams have scored at least 500 points in a season, yet none have captured a Super Bowl. Only the 2022 Kansas City Chiefs, who did not reach the 500-point threshold, won the championship. The piece contends that prioritizing raw scoring can lead to unnecessary fourth-quarter aggression, increased injury risk, and reduced rest for starters—factors that historically diminish playoff success.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You've got 31 other teams coming to training camp saying, 'Our goal is to win the Super Bowl.' I want more than that,” — Ben Johnson, Bears coach
- “I want to have the highest-scoring offense ever, which happens to be the 2013 Denver Broncos. I know how many points per game they scored [37.9], and I want to surpass them. I want shutouts. I want blowouts.” — Ben Johnson
What’s Next
The Bears will begin the 2026 regular season with the offensive overhaul Johnson has outlined. No specific dates for roster moves have been announced, but the coaching staff indicated that the new scheme will be fully implemented by the start of training camp. Success will be measured against both the points-per-game target and the team’s ability to advance deep into the postseason.
