Ben Johnson won over a lot of fans with his outrageous play calling that paid off Thursday against the New England Patriots.
The Chicago Bears had possession and the Patriots led 27-21 with less than two minutes remaining at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. With the Bears facing 4th-and-15 at the Patriots’ 40, most expected the punting unit to run out.
Instead, Johnson has a kicker, Cairo Santos lined up for a 58-yard field goal attempt. Santos’ kick had enough juice to go through the uprights, sealing a 30-24 Chicago win.
SANTOS JUST DRILLED A 58-YARDER TO GO UP BY TWO POSSESSIONS. NEvsCHI on Prime Video Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/XgUaLFdlzS
— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2026
Santos entered Thursday’s game without converting on a field goal beyond 55 yards. If he misses, the Patriots will have prime field position for a potential game-winning touchdown drive.
Some fans praised Johnson, calling him ballsy for riding his kicker in that moment.
Ben Johnson leaves Soldier Field after deciding to kick a 58-yard FG with the lead on the ice in the game https://t.co/XHc7pkVI3e
— NFL Memes (@NFLMemes) October 23, 2026
Ballsy by Ben Johnson. wow
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 23, 2026
BALLSY PLAYCALL FROM BEN JOHNSON!! BEARS GO UP 9 WITH A 58 YARD FG!!! https://t.co/GpyrfRtQQY
— Zero Gravity (@zgsportsmedia) October 23, 2026
Ben Johnson had balls of STEEL for that 😭
— caleb williams nail tech (@fvckalicia_) October 23, 2026
Santos just missed a 53-yard kick to end the Bears’ previous possession.
Given such circumstances, most coaches probably wouldn’t have doubled down on a longer attempt. But Johnson has never been shy about eschewing common teaching trends.