Will Bears Respond to Ben Johnson's Harsh Reality Check Against Cowboys?

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus probably didn’t have a smile on his face after his defense allowed 37 points last weekend. But maybe watching Chicago Bears film in preparation for this week's game cheered him up, if ever so slightly. 

The organization fired him midseason last year and brought in the hottest name in coaching, Ben Johnson, an offensive guru. But not even Johnson has been able to turn the Bears around in a hurry. They’re 0-2, worse than where Eberflus’ team was at this time last year.

In fact, Caleb Williams and Chicago's offense don't look substantially better. And the defense looks substantially worse than Eberflus’ unit. Johnson’s former team, the Detroit Lions, pulverized the Bears 51-21 in Week 2.

The sky isn’t falling any harder than it normally does in Chicago. But it’s not showing any signs of letting up either, not even after an offseason of upheaval, heavy spending and genuine hope. 

The Chicago defense looks on during a long afternoon in Detroit. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

As the Bears prepare for the Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET Sunday on FOX and the FOX Sports app), I get the sense it has been a sobering week for Johnson. I get that sense because the coach laid down a carefully timed challenge on Tuesday.

"We’re going to find out this week at practice who wants to practice hard and who wants to be more involved in the game plan," Johnson told reporters.

In coach-speak, that means (at least to me) that no one’s job is safe. That it’s time for the depth players and the scout team to step up and challenge the starters. Because the starters aren't getting it done.

One day later, Johnson appeared underwhelmed.

"I think our practice habits are yet to reflect the