One of the NFL’s top offensive minds, Ben Johnson, conceded that Chicago’s offense actually showed improvement under another play-caller’s guidance during their 34-10 victory against the Browns on Saturday.
After the conclusion of Chicago’s opening exhibition matchup, Johnson disclosed that he handed the reins of the offense to wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El ahead of the third quarter. Under Randle El’s direction, the team racked up 24 points over the final two quarters of play.
“Regarding how the offense executed, we looked sharper during the back half of the game,” remarked Johnson. “Ultimately, it comes down to Antwaan Randle El managing the play-calls for those final periods. I believe he did an outstanding job… It served as an excellent opportunity for him, and I could see our players truly feeding off that energy.”
Set to turn 47 this coming Monday, Randle El followed Johnson from the Lions to the Bears when Johnson took over the head coaching role in Chicago for the 2025 campaign. He began his coaching career back in 2019, working as an offensive assistant for Tampa Bay, where he earned a championship ring in 2020 before linking up with Dan Campbell in Detroit in 2021.
During his time with Detroit, Randle El helped orchestrate a dramatic franchise revival that featured their first playoff victory in over three decades. Under his direct mentorship, Pro Bowl receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown—who entered the league the same year Randle El arrived in Detroit—developed into one of the most prolific pass-catchers in professional football.
Before transitioning to the sidelines, Randle El put together a highly accomplished playing career himself. Following a stellar tenure as Indiana’s quarterback, he made his mark in the NFL as a dynamic wide receiver and return specialist for the Steelers in the 2000s, famously throwing the decisive touchdown strike to Hines Ward to seal Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl XL triumph against Seattle.
Just as his relentless work ethic allowed him to successfully pivot from college signal-caller to NFL receiver, his coaching path hit a major milestone with an impressive premiere as a play-calling strategist.
“I was eager to give El this opportunity, and he was just as eager to take it,” Johnson shared. “He is a stellar coach. Occasionally, when you coach a specific position group, people tend to box you into a certain category. But with El, I genuinely believe he has the potential to become a coordinator in this league, and eventually a head coach. He would excel tremendously in either capacity. He might not be getting that level of recognition nationally just yet, so this was a great platform for him to showcase his abilities.”
