Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is one of the NFL's best offensive minds, and he's hitting his stride in his second season with quarterback Caleb Williams and company.

Even before the start of the season, Johnson said he wanted the Bears to be the highest-scoring offense in NFL history, pitch shutouts and win in blowout fashion. Publicly stating such lofty goals could put a target on Chicago’s back, but Johnson does not see it that way.

“Absolute not. If there’s any other offensive play caller in the league that doesn’t feel that way, then they’re full of BS. So, I’m just the one that’s okay to say it out loud I guess,” Johnson told First Things First. “But, behind closed doors, I’m sure they’re saying it to their units as well. I’ve had that mindset ever since I started calling and our guys know that and they rally behind that as well. They know every time we hit the grass, we’re supposed to score points and if we’re falling short of that, we got to make the corrections and get out there and do it the next time. So, it’s a mindset. It’s not one that we’re ever going to apologize for.”

So far, the Bears have not quite lived up to those expectations, although they are still playing remarkably well. Chicago is 7-2 going into their bye week. They are averaging 27.4 points per game, including over 30 points in four games this year. The Bears have also held opponents to under 20 points in four games. 

Their next game will be against the New Orleans Saints, who have just three wins through the first nine weeks. They have only scored 30 points or more twice this season; New Orleans lost on one of those occasions against the Detroit Lions back in their season opener.