By Blessing 
Bears fans, take a deep breath—it’s finally safe to revisit that play. Why? Because the mastermind behind it, Ben Johnson, is now calling the shots for our team.
Lester A. Wiltfong Jr., who’s been covering the Bears for nearly 20 years and co-hosts on the 2nd City Gridiron Channel, shared a moment from last season that still stings a little. You can follow him on social media at @wiltfongjr.
It was Week 16. The Bears were clawing their way back just before halftime when Caleb Williams connected with Keenan Allen for a late touchdown, closing the gap against the Detroit Lions to 27-14. A missed Detroit field goal ended the half, giving Chicago a sliver of momentum.
But then came the third quarter—and with it, Ben Johnson’s bag of tricks.
Detroit came out firing, marching down the field with ease. Four plays and a Bears penalty later, they were already deep in Chicago territory. That’s when Ben Johnson dialed up a play called “Stumblebum.”
Quarterback Jared Goff took the snap, pretended to stumble on his dropback, then straightened up and fired a pass to a completely uncovered Sam LaPorta in the end zone. Touchdown, Lions.
Yeah, that one hurt.
It was frustrating to watch then, but now, with Johnson wearing navy and orange, it’s okay to look back. Maybe even crack a smile. Because the same offensive creativity that burned the Bears that day? It’s now working for them at Halas Hall.
Who knows what kind of clever designs Ben Johnson will bring next?