Bears Coach Ben Johnson Warns of Maye’s Dangerous Talent Before TNF

WHO:

NBC Sports - Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was praised by Ben Johnson for positioning the team’s players and accounting for offensive-line absences.

Newsweek - Ben Johnson is the Chicago Bears’ head coach.

Newsweek - Drake Maye is discussed in connection with the New England Patriots.

Heavy NFL - The Chicago Bears and New England Patriots are the teams involved in the Thursday Night Football game.

WHAT:

NBC Sports - Drake Maye completed 63.9% of his passes for 1,463 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and rushed for 185 yards and one touchdown.

NBC Sports - Maye passed for 374 yards and four touchdowns against Las Vegas, then threw for 235 yards and three touchdowns in a victory over the Jets.

NBC Sports - Johnson said New England had a three-game winning streak and was producing “a ton of explosive plays throughout.”

Newsweek - Johnson assessed Maye ahead of the Bears–Patriots game and identified a combination of Maye’s abilities that concerned him.

Newsweek - The article describes Johnson’s assessment of Maye as “deadly.”

Heavy NFL - The article reports that the Bears received “good news” about Maye ahead of their game against the Patriots; the supplied text does not specify what the news was.

WHEN:

Newsweek - Johnson discussed Maye before the Bears and Patriots’ first meeting.

Heavy NFL - The report concerns the period ahead of the teams’ Thursday Night Football game.

WHY:

Newsweek - Johnson’s assessment focused on a combination of Maye’s talents that worried him.

HOW:

NBC Sports - Johnson said New England’s offense had “picked up steam over these last three games,” with Maye’s performance particularly improved in the last two.

(UPDATED October 21, 2026 23:19 UTC)

Bears head coach Ben Johnson praised Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels for positioning New England’s players effectively and adjusting for absences along the offensive line. Ahead of the teams’ Thursday Night Football matchup, Johnson also singled out quarterback Drake Maye’s combination of abilities as a concern. Maye had completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 1,463 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while adding 185 rushing yards and a score. His recent performances included 374 passing yards and four touchdowns against Las Vegas, followed by 235 yards and three touchdowns in a win over the Jets. Johnson said New England had won three straight games and was producing “a ton of explosive plays throughout.” He added that the offense had “picked up steam over these last three games,” with Maye especially improved in the last two.

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(UPDATED October 21, 2026 20:23 UTC)

Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson has offered a strong assessment of New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye ahead of the teams’ Thursday Night Football matchup. Johnson discussed Maye before the teams’ first meeting, pointing to a combination of the quarterback’s abilities that concerned him. His assessment of that combination was described as “deadly,” underscoring the challenge Maye could pose to the Bears. A separate report said Chicago received “good news” about Maye before the game, but did not specify what that news was. The matchup brings together two teams preparing for their first meeting, with Johnson’s comments focused on Maye’s talents and the threat they present. The Patriots’ quarterback is therefore a central concern for the Bears as they get ready to face New England.