Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson was visibly frustrated with a late-game decision during the closing moments of the team’s loss to the Detroit Lions.

With the game on the line, Johnson chose to send out the punt unit rather than attempt a fourth-down conversion. That choice quickly came back to haunt Chicago, as Detroit used the opportunity to move into scoring range and seal the game with a last-second field goal. Cameras captured Johnson on the sideline immediately expressing regret, appearing to mouth that he wished he had gone for it.

The situation was far from simple. Chicago faced a fourth-and-five deep in its own territory at the 31-yard line, and a failed attempt would have handed Detroit excellent field position. From a risk-management standpoint, the conservative call was understandable.

However, the outcome proved costly anyway. After receiving the punt, the Lions drove 39 yards in just six plays, setting up a 42-yard kick that clinched the victory.

Several elements may influence how Johnson reflects on the decision moving forward. Chicago’s defense struggled throughout the contest, allowing Lions quarterback Jared Goff to throw for 331 yards.

Amon-Ra St. Brown was particularly effective, hauling in 11 receptions for 139 yards, while Detroit also found success on the ground with 122 rushing yards. Despite Chicago’s defensive resilience at various points during the season, Detroit consistently found ways to exploit it.
On the other side of the ball, the Bears’ offense finally found its rhythm late.

After being held scoreless for much of the game, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams ignited a fourth-quarter surge by throwing two touchdown passes and successfully converting both two-point attempts. Given how well the offense was clicking, trusting that unit instead of a worn-down defense may have been the better option.

Because Chicago had already secured its postseason position, the decision ultimately affected only the final regular-season result. Still, moments like these tend to linger, and Johnson will likely revisit the scenario as he evaluates his decision-making in high-pressure situations going forward.