In order to be the best, one first has to believe they’re the best. That’s not been an issue for Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who’s set sky-high expectations for the Bears offense this season, including becoming the highest-scoring offense in NFL history, surpassing the 2013 Denver Broncos, who averaged 37.9 points per game.
According to one former NFL quarterback, Johnson’s characteristics remind him of another coach: 2025 national champion and Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti.
Dan Orlovsky Compares Ben Johnson to Curt Cignetti
During a segment on ESPN’s “First Take,” Dan Orlovsky, 12-year NFL veteran and now an NFL analyst, drew similarities between Johnson and Cignetti.
“This is the NFL’s version of Curt Cignetti, in my eyes,” Orlovsky said about Johnson. “He’s brash. There’s arrogance. There’s ego. He’s gonna rub people the wrong way. He’s not for everybody. He’s won me over. I’ve been a fan of him from the X’s and O’s element, and I know that he’s rubbed some people the wrong way that I’m close with. But I love the fact that he’s publicly saying this.”
Orlovsky makes an interesting comparison, and when diving deeper, there are definitely some qualities the two share.
BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM: PFN’s FREE NFL Mock Draft Simulator
Both have extreme attention to detail and don’t let anyone off the hook when it comes to accountability, no matter who it is.
Last but not least is their intense competitiveness. Whether on the sideline or talking to the press, neither flinches, regardless of the game situation or the question they’re asked.
All are championship qualities, though Johnson is still chasing the ultimate victory that Cignetti secured last year.
PREDICT THE NFL SEASON: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Orlovsky went on to say, “(Johnson’s) watched this team practice every day. He would not have publicly said this if he didn’t like what he’s seeing on the field. We’re starting to click. Our quarterback’s starting to get it. My young receivers are stepping up. I got one of the best tight ends in ball right now. And so I love the fact that he’s publicly saying this is what we’re capable of.”
After another year under Johnson’s tutelage, the offense should be even better than what it was last year, as Orlovsky has hinted at.
In 2025, according to PFN’s Offense Impact Metric, the Bears’ offense ranked ninth in the league with an impact score of 80.2. They were slotted above other notable offenses like the Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, and Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Now, with quarterback Caleb Williams set to continue his superstar development among increasingly better skill players, the Bears will have a great chance to be an offensive juggernaut in 2026.
