BEN JOHNSON COACH OF THE YEAR?! 👀🐻 | Thieneman DROY Push + NO PARSONS. NO COOPER

The Chicago Bears are 3-1, Ben Johnson is suddenly one of the betting favorites for NFL Coach of the Year, Dillon Thieneman is entering the Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation, and the Green Bay Packers are heading into Bears week without two massive defensive pieces.

Ben Johnson is currently tied with Klint Kubiak at around +600 for Coach of the Year, with Todd Monken close behind. That rise makes sense when you consider what Chicago has already survived through four games. The Bears have won starts from Caleb Williams, Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent, and Johnson has completely adjusted the offensive formula to fit each quarterback instead of forcing everyone into one rigid system. Pasted text

Against Philadelphia, Johnson trusted Keenum’s quick processing and passing rhythm. Against the Jets, Chicago ran the football 54 times for 232 yards, held possession for almost 43 minutes and ran 89 offensive plays. Different quarterbacks. Different defensive opponents. Different game plans. Same result. Pasted text

And Johnson’s résumé isn’t only about offense. Chicago’s defense allowed 28 total points over Weeks 2 through 4, while Dennis Allen’s unit has become one of the league’s more productive defenses after a rough opening week. Allen deserves the defensive credit, but hiring the right staff is part of being a head coach. Pasted text

Then there’s rookie safety Dillon Thieneman.

Through four games, Thieneman has recorded:

🏈 30 tackles

🛡️ 1 interception

👀 3 passes defended

🔥 At least six tackles in every game

Advanced tracking cited in the episode notes has him allowing only 4 completions on 12 targets for 50 yards, zero touchdowns and a 12.5 passer rating, while also recording no missed tackles in that sample. Pasted text

The challenge?