Bears Film Study: Ben Johnson Unleashes Vertical Passing Game vs. 49ers

Ben Johnson's play designs are fun to watch. 

The Chicago Bears' coach dialed up plenty of different calls that exploited defenses throughout the 2025 season. 

In the Week 17 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium, Johnson needed to utilize his entire play book to keep his team competitive against 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan's lethal offense. 

Even though the Bears lost, 42-38, Johnson called a series of explosive plays that quarterback Caleb Williams and the rest of the unit executed to perfection, including the 35-yard touchdown to Luther Burden III. 

The Bears were down 14-7 in the closing minutes of the first quarter. Facing a first-and-10 from the San Francisco 35-yard line, the Bears lined up in 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends and two receivers). Williams called for the snap in the shotgun, surveyed the field with no immediate pass rush and connected with Burden for an explosive passing playing to tie the game. 

Using Bobby Peters' "The 2025 Chicago Bears Complete Offensive Manual," let's break down Burden's explosive reception against the 49ers from the Week 17 game.   

According to Peters, Johnson called one of his many variations of Cross -- "a concept designed to attack the flat on the side of the field the Cross is running towards. ... It's a three level vertical stretch."

This version against the 49ers incorporated a "latch" route from Colston Loveland. He ran what looked like a crossing route from the backside of the formation, but stopped on the opposite hash. That caused the safety, Malik Mustapha (No. 6), to drive on Loveland, leaving plenty of space downfield for Burden to make a play. 

Film Watchers, a social media accounted dedicated to breaking down All-22 film, categorized this play as the No. 1 playcall of 2025. Before the 49ers played the Bears on Sunday Night Football, San Francisco played the Indianapolis Colts. Peter Herzog, the creator of Film Watchers, pointed out that the Colts' offense ran a similar concept against the 49ers' defense, and Johnson used the play as inspiration in his game plan the following week. 

Herzog detailed how the Bears took advantage of San Francisco's quarters coverage in the video above. (Watch the clip for some great insight.) Burden caught the touchdown, but DJ Moore was also wide open for his own 35-yard score.

"There was nobody for DJ Moore, and they still got the touchdown to Luther Burden," Herzog said. "That's two 35-yard touchdowns on the same play. It cannot get better than that."

Make sure to become a member at Bears Roundtable Sports to get more film study content. It's a good way to pass the time until the Bears return to Halas Hall for training camp next month. 

Also, check out Peters' book "The 2025 Chicago Bears Complete Offensive Manual." It's a great resource to learn more about Johnson's offense and how it operates.