The Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys are set for one of the most intriguing matchups of Week 3 in the NFL, headlined by the matchup between Bears head coach Ben Johnson and ex-head coach Matt Eberflus, who is now Dallas’ defensive coordinator.
Ben Johnson Sends a Message to Matt Eberflus Ahead of Bears vs. Cowboys Showdown
GettyDallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
The storyline heated up this week after Johnson was asked whether Eberflus’ prior knowledge of Caleb Williams could give the Cowboys an advantage. Eberflus worked with Williams throughout his rookie season (to an extent) before being dismissed by Chicago at the end of last season. But Johnson wasted no time making it clear that he isn’t losing sleep over that factor.
“Yeah, well, we’ve got guys in the building that we know how his [Matt Eberflus] mind works,” Johnson said. “So we have some information on just schematically how he liked to approach my offense in general and his feelings on Caleb. I feel like we know what he knows and we’ll be just fine there.”
That last phrase—“his feelings on Caleb”—is what lingers. It’s not often a head coach points to an opponent’s personal assessment of his quarterback as a factor in preparation.
Johnson’s words suggest there may be more behind the curtain: Did Eberflus see weaknesses in Williams that he thought could be exploited? Or did he doubt certain parts of his game?
Either way, Johnson believes Eberflus’ familiarity with Williams isn’t a problem.
A Strategic Battle of Familiarity
At first glance, Eberflus seems to have the upper hand. Few coordinators in the league have had the opportunity to see Williams up close in practice, study his habits, and understand what makes him tick. From his throwing mechanics to how he responds to certain defensive looks, Eberflus was in the room when Williams took his first reps as a professional quarterback.
But Johnson flipped that narrative, reminding everyone that knowledge flows both ways. The Bears’ new head coach had a full offseason of film and collaboration with his young quarterback, but he also has insight into Eberflus’ defensive philosophy.
The mental game could be just as important as the physical one when these two teams clash. If Williams can thrive against someone like Eberflus, it will not only be a massive statement for him but also a tip to Johnson and the Bears’ offense.
Ultimately, Johnson’s message makes one thing clear: the Bears aren’t backing down from the narrative that Eberflus knows too much. Instead, they’re embracing the challenge, flipping it into motivation, and preparing to prove that this version of the Bears is different.
When the Bears and Cowboys take the field in Week 3, the focus will naturally be on Williams. But make no mistake, the chess match between Johnson and Eberflus may decide how this game plays out.
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