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The Chicago Bears took a beating at Lambeau Field, and then Scoop Jackson’s assessment of Ben Johnson received a rough reception of its own. The Chicago Sun-Times columnist argued that Johnson’s bravado had invited the backlash following Chicago’s loss to the Green Bay Packers.
The Chicago Bears took a beating at Lambeau Field, and then Scoop Jackson’s assessment of Ben Johnson received a rough reception of its own.
The Chicago Sun-Times columnist argued that Johnson’s bravado had invited the backlash following Chicago’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. Several Bears fans had a problem with that diagnosis, and they were happy to put their complaints in writing.
Jackson’s Oct. 17 column argued that Johnson’s public confidence and behavior toward his rivals had left him exposed after an embarrassing defeat. He also criticized the team’s inconsistency and questioned how the coach handled accountability.
That argument landed poorly with supporters who believe Johnson has earned considerably more patience.
“God, I hate you guys. He’s the best coach we’ve had since Ditka. What is this nonsense?”one fan wrote.
“Another clickbait piece by the Chicago media,”another fan added.
The responses were directed at a post from Peggy Kusinski sharing the column. Jackson authored the piece, a distinction that matters amid the broader criticism aimed at Chicago’s sports media.
“We as a society have moved past the need for Chicago sports media,”one user wrote.
Another reader accused the coverage of chasing an angry response.
“Chicago Media is just a bunch of losers that try to rage-bait into getting clicks. It’s embarrassing and the reason that no one takes them seriously,”the fan wrote.
The Packers loss gave Johnson plenty to answer for. Chicago committed five turnovers in the 31–7 defeat, with neither Tyson Bagent nor Case Keenum able to get the offense going.
The following Sunday brought a much better afternoon. Caleb Williams returned from his hamstring injury, and Chicago beat the Atlanta Falcons 31–23 to improve to 4–2. That turnaround added fresh context to thebacklash against Jackson’s column.
“This is a really negative article about a coach who has done amazing work. It’s pretty sad that you think this is a good way to get views,”another fan wrote.
Chicago still has work to do offensively. Following its Week 6 game, the Bears rank No. 13 inPFN’s 2026 Offense Impact rankings with a 75.7 grade. The table lists them at 25.0 points per game.
Johnson’s first season also gives his supporters something concrete to point toward. He went 11–6 and won the NFC North in 2025, establishing expectations that make an afternoon like the one in Green Bay especially frustrating.
Jackson argued that Johnson’s swagger would keep inviting judgment. These fans made their own judgment clear. One ugly rivalry loss had done little to loosen their grip on a coach they still want leading the Bears.