Jared Goff addresses Ben Johnson's criticism about him after Bears' 'MNF' win

Loading video...

Matthew Couden

By Matthew Couden

Contributing Writer

See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.

After the Chicago Bears' big win in "Monday Night Football" over the Philadelphia Eagles, Ben Johnson spoke about being able to call plays for his backup quarterback, Case Keenum, who isn't as mobile on the field as Caleb Williams.

In doing so, he joked about having experience calling plays for a quarterback who was "not so mobile," referring to his time as offensive coordinator on Dan Campbell's staff in Detroit. That rubbed some fans and critics the wrong way, as they perceived it as a shot taken at quarterback Jared Goff.

"Ben can't seem to get out of his own way when he's talking to the media," Goff said on Amon-Ra St. Brown's recent podcast. "I know there was no ill intent to that, but he seems to be a lightning rod for [the media]; they pick up everything he says.

Read More on NFL

"It's funny. He called me, he messaged me this morning, like, 'Dude, you know that means nothing, right?'" Goff shared about Johnson.

Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff

...

The Lions' quarterback said he told his coach not to worry about it and that things were "good" amid any backlash over his criticism.

"I'm saving something. I'll have to throw something his way at some point," Goff joked with St. Brown on the podcast, adding he would call the Lions' former OC to tell him, "You know I'm just kidding."

Goff, who previously played for the Los Angeles Rams, has never been a mobile quarterback, so he probably hadn't taken Johnson's comment personally. Still, he and St. Brown agreed that their former OC's a "good dude" and that he wanted to ensure Goff knew there was no ill intent behind the remark.

This season, Goff has 802 passing yards and eight touchdowns. In three games, he's had nine carries for 15 rushing yards. The Bears' Keenum, playing in his first game since late 2023, had four carries for six yards, including a rushing touchdown, in his team's 27-7 win over the Eagles on Monday.

This season, both the Lions and Bears are off to 2-1 starts. The two teams meet on Nov. 26 in a Thanksgiving Day clash, which might give Goff an opportunity to throw some subtle shade at his former OC's way.

More news: Bears’ Case Keenum Fires Up Locker Room With Postgame Speech After ‘MNF’ Win