Just read this article, and I'm totally pumped for 13 personnel packages this year.

Why Bears rookie tight end Sam Roush fits head coach Ben Johnson’s vision

Great article on Roush, best I've read since we drafted him. Goes into a ton of detail on what to expect from him.

Tough kid. Missed 1/2 of 1 practice the entire time at Stanford, and only because they forced him to leave the field with a temperature of 102.

On an assigned chip block, he managed to "chip" his man so hard that he was propelled back into a DT, and he got 2 pancakes on one block.

It details how we had great success running 13 personnel last year. I'm surprised BJ didn't call it more often.

After reading this article, I have no doubt we will more than double the number of 13 personnel plays.

The Bears play the toughest schedule (based on last year's results), but at least we stay home.

No overseas games for the Bears. GOOD!

2026 international games:

🏈Week 1: Rams/49ers (Australia)
🏈Week 3: Ravens/Cowboys (Brazil)
🏈Week 4: Colts/Commanders (London)
🏈Week 5: Eagles/Jaguars (London)
🏈Week 6: Texans/Jaguars (London)
🏈Week 7: Steelers/Saints (France)
🏈Week 9: Bengals/Falcons (Spain)
🏈Week 10: Patriots/Lions (Germany)
🏈Week 11: Vikings/49ers (Mexico)

4 hours ago, Pixote said:

Just read this article, and I'm totally pumped for 13 personnel packages this year.

Why Bears rookie tight end Sam Roush fits head coach Ben Johnson’s vision

Great article on Roush, best I've read since we drafted him. Goes into a ton of detail on what to expect from him.

Tough kid. Missed 1/2 of 1 practice the entire time at Stanford, and only because they forced him to leave the field with a temperature of 102.

On an assigned chip block, he managed to "chip" his man so hard that he was propelled back into a DT, and he got 2 pancakes on one block.

It details how we had great success running 13 personnel last year. I'm surprised BJ didn't call it more often.

After reading this article, I have no doubt we will more than double the number of 13 personnel plays.

It basically forces teams to use 3 LBs. Looking at LB coverage grades, I was surprised to see D'Marco Jackson as the 2nd highest rated LB in coverage, only behind Fred Warner. 4th was a guy named Devin Bush who played in CLE last year. 18th was TJ Edwards. So the Bears have 3 of the top 18 coverage LBs in the NFL.

On the flip side, there are a few others from the division, Cooper from GB was 9th and Campbell from DET was 12th.

So the Bears may have gotten ahead of this trend on both offense and defense.

5 hours ago, adam said:

It basically forces teams to use 3 LBs. Looking at LB coverage grades, I was surprised to see D'Marco Jackson as the 2nd highest rated LB in coverage, only behind Fred Warner. 4th was a guy named Devin Bush who played in CLE last year. 18th was TJ Edwards. So the Bears have 3 of the top 18 coverage LBs in the NFL.

On the flip side, there are a few others from the division, Cooper from GB was 9th and Campbell from DET was 12th.

So the Bears may have gotten ahead of this trend on both offense and defense.

Poles seems to find the odd advantages. Loading up on DBs and now coverage LBs. Both have to do with a passing league. Now if he can figure out Oline, which seems much better and then Dline (kryptonite)

12 hours ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Poles seems to find the odd advantages. Loading up on DBs and now coverage LBs. Both have to do with a passing league. Now if he can figure out Oline, which seems much better and then Dline (kryptonite)

and this move to more 13-personnel would reduce the overall snap count of the WR group. Thus making Moore even more expendable. Even 12 personnel can cut down on WR snaps, but 13-personnel brings it down to 1x WR, so even Burden or Odunze will be off the field for those plays.

1 hour ago, adam said:

and this move to more 13-personnel would reduce the overall snap count of the WR group. Thus making Moore even more expendable. Even 12 personnel can cut down on WR snaps, but 13-personnel brings it down to 1x WR, so even Burden or Odunze will be off the field for those plays.

Correct, ive mentioned that earlier. The Bears save cap because TEs make less and you are only playing one or two. That also makes Zav Thomas more valuable as a player who could line up at WR/RB.

8 hours ago, adam said:

It basically forces teams to use 3 LBs. Looking at LB coverage grades, I was surprised to see D'Marco Jackson as the 2nd highest rated LB in coverage, only behind Fred Warner. 4th was a guy named Devin Bush who played in CLE last year. 18th was TJ Edwards. So the Bears have 3 of the top 18 coverage LBs in the NFL.

On the flip side, there are a few others from the division, Cooper from GB was 9th and Campbell from DET was 12th.

So the Bears may have gotten ahead of this trend on both offense and defense.

Ben is the Matchup King. Good info on coverage stats for our LBers.

5 hours ago, adam said:

and this move to more 13-personnel would reduce the overall snap count of the WR group. Thus making Moore even more expendable. Even 12 personnel can cut down on WR snaps, but 13-personnel brings it down to 1x WR, so even Burden or Odunze will be off the field for those plays.

More excellent analysis, adam. Thank you.

I remember when our Vic Fangio solved the Rams with a two high safety scheme, setting this trend in motion.

Coaches like Eberflus, Nagy, even Lovie were riding schemes and trends on the back end. Johnson clearly understands where the opportunities are now.

6 hours ago, adam said:

and this move to more 13-personnel would reduce the overall snap count of the WR group. Thus making Moore even more expendable. Even 12 personnel can cut down on WR snaps, but 13-personnel brings it down to 1x WR, so even Burden or Odunze will be off the field for those plays.

Maybe but this is Zavion comes into play because he can be a RB or your deep threat and anywhere in between.

46 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

Maybe but this is Zavion comes into play because he can be a RB or your deep threat and anywhere in between.

Yeah, so many possibilities.

I cant believe what an excellent coach feels like. I cant believe how bad we've had it for so long.

And add in Caleb - it's our turn to be a top franchise for the foreseeable future.

What a great time to be a Bears fan.