Full Breakdown
Antwaan Randle El’s Play-Calling Fuels Bears’ Second-Half Surge in Preseason Opener
8/16/2026, 7:54:29 PM
Core Event: Randle El Takes Over Play-Calling
In the Chicago Bears’ preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, the team trailed 10-0 at halftime. Wide receivers coach and assistant head coach Antwaan Randle El was handed offensive play-calling duties for the second half. Under his direction the Bears scored 24 unanswered points, finishing with a 34-10 victory. The surge produced 12 first-downs and 235 total yards in the final 30 minutes of the game.
Background & Context
Head coach Ben Johnson has used the preseason to experiment with delegating play-calling to assistants. Last year he allowed former offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to run the second-half offense; Doyle is now the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator. Johnson brought Randle El to Chicago after working together in Detroit, where Randle El served as the Lions’ wide-receivers coach.
Randle El’s résumé includes a nine-year NFL playing career with the Steelers and Washington, a Super Bowl XL touchdown pass to Hines Ward, and coaching stints with the Buccaneers, Lions and the Bears. He joined the Bears’ staff for the 2025 season.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: Bears 34, Browns 10
- Second-half points: 24
- First-downs (second half): 12
- Total offensive yards (second half): 235
- Quarterbacks used: Case Keenum (first half) and Miller Moss (second half)
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Johnson praised the offensive turnaround, noting the improvement was directly tied to Randle El’s play-calling. He described the experience as “phenomenal” for the quarterbacks and said the players rallied around the new approach.
Quarterback Case Keenum echoed Johnson’s assessment, stating he expects Randle El to become a head coach, citing the former player’s leadership and relatability.
Why It Matters
Johnson’s willingness to showcase assistant coaches in live-game situations provides a platform for emerging talent and may influence the Bears’ long-term offensive philosophy. Randle El’s successful debut as a play-caller could accelerate his path toward an offensive-coordinator role, aligning with Johnson’s intent to give “a couple of guys” opportunities during the preseason.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I thought he did a phenomenal job with [quarterback] Case [Keenum] taking the reins and then transition on over to [quarterback] Miller [Moss] just to see how he was trying to stay in their wheelhouse,” — Ben Johnson, head coach, Chicago Bears
- “I know he's going to be a head coach.” — Case Keenum, quarterback, Chicago Bears
What’s Next
The Bears will face the Cincinnati Bengals in their next preseason matchup, followed by a game against the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 29. Johnson indicated he may again allow an assistant—potentially Randle El or another staff member—to call plays in the second half of those contests.
