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Ben Johnson Positions Deep Receiving Room for Bigger Roles as Minicamp Ends

The coach’s recent minicamp remarks and practice work signal changes in how the Bears will use veterans and young pass-catchers and test his updated play-calling this summer.

Overview

  • Johnson praised veteran Kalif Raymond at minicamp Tuesday, saying Raymond’s speed and route versatility could make him a regular offensive weapon rather than just a special-teams player.
  • The coach said he has changed “fairly significantly” as a play-caller and is tailoring concepts to get players into space so Caleb Williams can use a wider mix of targets.
  • Johnson has expanded Colston Loveland’s route tree and praised Luther Burden’s growth, moves that follow both players’ late-2025 production and aim to redistribute targets after D.J. Moore’s departure.
  • On-field minicamp signs included Jaylon Johnson intercepting Caleb Williams twice and coaches stressing fundamentals, but the staff warned that these indicators must be validated once pads are on in training camp.
  • The developments build on Johnson’s first-year success turning the Bears into a top-10 offense and set up training camp and the regular season as the true tests of whether these role changes produce more consistent scoring.