Ben Johnson did not say his famous line--"Evaluating offensive and defensive linemen in non-contact June practices is fool's gold"--by accident. Delivered on June 4, 2026, the Chicago Bears head coach made a pointed statement aimed at fans, media, and his own team's personnel, cautioning against drawing premature conclusions from early offseason drills.
Johnson is a coach who runs a highly data-driven program. Before joining the Bears as head coach, he helped build one of the NFL's most efficient offenses in Detroit. He knows the value--and the limitations--of practice film, especially from non-contact environments. The takeaway is clear: evaluating the big men on the line during June minicamp is an exercise in futility at best.
The timing of Johnson's remarks is important. Mandatory minicamp begins later this month, followed by training camp in July. The pads stay in the closet until August, when preseason games suddenly provide the only real measuring stick. Until then, Johnson is urging patience and a recognition that early June practices are fundamentally different from live-action reps with full contact.
Why Johnson's Philosophy Matters for the Bears and Fantasy Managers
This offseason, the Bears have undertaken a substantial overhaul of their offensive line. Center Garrett Bradbury was acquired to anchor the unit. Joe Thuney continues at guard, and Darnell Wright retains the right tackle spot. The left tackle and second guard positions, however, are wide open with several players competing.
Among the contenders are Braxton Jones, entering his fourth year; Kiran Amegadjie, a 2024 third-round pick; Ozzy Trapilo, drafted in 2025; Jedrick Wills Jr., a free agent signee and former Browns starter; and Luke Newman, also a 2025 draftee. In all, six players vie for two starting spots on paper, yet none will face live contact until training camp. This makes judging performance in shorts misleading.
Johnson's "fool's gold" philosophy is a clear signal: he will not be fooled if a player shines in walk-through drills but falters once the pads come on, nor will he write off those who struggle in June but excel under live conditions. That realism applies equally to the defensive line, where Montez Sweat leads a group that includes free agent addition Dayo Odeyingbo and veteran Grady Jarrett. Young talents like Gervon Dexter Sr. and Shemar Turner still need to prove their ability to disrupt the line in contact drills. Early non-contact practices do not settle these battles.
For fantasy football managers and daily fantasy sports (DFS) players, this approach has direct implications. Quarterback Caleb Williams enters his third NFL season with a solid 2025 campaign behind him, tossing for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while adding 388 rushing yards and three scores. His passing game boasts capable targets.
Wide receiver Rome Odunze caught 44 passes for 661 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, while fellow 2025 first-round receiver Luther Burden III hauled in 47 receptions for 652 yards and two scores. Tight end Colston Loveland led the receiving corps with 58 catches for 713 yards and six touchdowns, and veteran Cole Kmet remains a reliable option with 30 catches, 347 yards, and two touchdowns.
The Bears' skill-position depths are real and talented. But their production hinges largely on how well the offensive line protects Williams and opens lanes. When the line struggles, passing and rushing numbers dwindle; when it performs, the offense can flourish. Johnson's words reveal he views the offensive line as the pivotal factor for the team's upside in 2026. However, meaningful evaluation of these linemen will not be possible until the pads come on in August.
Fantasy enthusiasts should, therefore, be cautious about investing heavily in Bears pass catchers early in drafts or daily contests. The talent base is promising, and the potential is high. Yet, the floor depends on the offensive line's cohesion, which remains uncertain.
The Run Game's Potential
D'Andre Swift, last season's workhorse, racked up 1,087 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 2025, complementing Kyle Monangai's 783 yards and five touchdowns on 169 carries. The backfield is crowded, however, with Roschon Johnson, Brittain Brown, and Salvon Ahmed providing quality depth.
Johnson has indicated that Swift's receiving role should see an uptick in 2026. "I think you left a little on the table last season in the offense, as far as what Swift could do as a receiver," Johnson said on June 2, 2026. Swift's 34 receptions for 299 yards in 2025 were solid but not elite for a running back. Expanding his role out of the backfield could boost his fantasy value from a mid-tier RB2 to potential RB1 territory. Again, this depends heavily on the offensive line's ability to give Williams time to execute play action.
Defensive Fundamentals and Outlook
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen echoed Johnson's emphasis on fundamentals and cautioned against over-focusing on schematic installation last season at the expense of basic football skills. "If we do a better job of the fundamentals, we'll get better at that," Allen said.
The Bears defense features key players like shutdown cornerback Jaylon Johnson, and solid contributors Kyler Gordon, Terell Smith, and rookie Malik Muhammad at the cornerback position. Linebackers T.J. Edwards and Jack Sanborn anchor the second level. On the defensive line, pass rushers Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo headline the group, supported by the less proven Dexter and Turner.
Yet, as with the offensive line, Johnson's "fool's gold" warning applies to the defensive front. Non-contact drills cannot reveal a defensive tackle's ability to hold the point nor a defensive end's real pass-rushing skill. Fantasy football players in IDP leagues should rely on trusted veterans and established players, while being cautious about projecting breakouts for younger defensive linemen in 2026 until they face live, full-contact competition.
Setting the Foundation for 2026 and Beyond
Johnson's messaging since becoming head coach has been deliberate and consistent. "We focused so much on installing all the scheme last year, we lost sight of some of the fundamentals," Defensive Coordinator Allen admitted, implicitly acknowledging past coaching priorities at odds with fundamentals.
Johnson is reversing course, emphasizing communication, fundamentals, and building a cohesive foundation. The acquisition of Garrett Bradbury was partly aimed at bolstering line communication. "Garrett Bradbury impressed day one just with the level of communication that he brings to the table," Johnson noted on June 2.
The Bears entered the offseason with $11.23 million in cap space, positioning them to respond if injuries strike the offensive line in camp, though no major spending moves are planned at this time.
What to Expect Moving Forward
Mandatory minicamp and Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in June and July offer valuable work on technique and communication but will not yield a definitive pecking order on the line or defensive front until training camp pads come on in August.
Johnson's "fool's gold" remark serves two purposes. Externally, it tempers fan and media expectations about early evaluations during minicamp. Internally, it signals to players that non-contact performances are preliminary indicators, not final judgments. Live contact, leverage, power, and timing--crucial elements of line play--cannot be adequately assessed without pads.
For fantasy professionals, the Bears remain a high-upside target. The skill-position talent is strong, the quarterback is developing, and Johnson's scheme promises more efficiency. However, the offensive and defensive lines remain wild cards. Until they gel in full-contact settings, evaluation is purely speculative.
So, while you can get excited about players like Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, and D'Andre Swift, resist the urge to overvalue them until after the pads come on and the Bears offense and defense take shape under live conditions.
In summary, Ben Johnson's frank assessment is a public reminder that patient and informed evaluation is vital in the NFL offseason, especially on the trenches. Judging offensive and defensive linemen this June? It's fool's gold.