Mike Martz, architect of the St. Louis Rams’ celebrated “Greatest Show on Turf” offense and former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator, recently praised Bears head coach Ben Johnson’s offensive philosophy, highlighting their shared approach to game planning and player development.

Martz and Johnson first connected during Johnson’s tenure as an assistant coach with the Miami Dolphins under Adam Gase. Their initial meeting, which occurred in the offseason, left a strong impression on Martz due to Johnson’s deep understanding of offensive strategy and his detailed approach to coaching. Martz described Johnson as a disciplined and creative coach with a relentless commitment to pushing players to excel.

Johnson, who has crafted a hybrid offensive scheme combining elements from various systems, calls his approach a “mutt.” It integrates deep passing concepts and presnap motion reminiscent of the “Air Coryell” system developed by Don Coryell, alongside timing-based techniques characteristic of West Coast offenses. Johnson’s scheme places greater emphasis on a physical running game than Martz’s Rams offenses did but similarly relies on creating advantages through spacing and numerical superiority.

Martz, known as one of the game’s most innovative offensive minds, expressed respect for Johnson's confidence and aggressiveness, qualities he said are often missing in NFL coaching. Martz noted that Johnson’s coaching style extends beyond moments of emotion, such as his famous postgame celebrations, to a consistent pursuit of excellence and a nuanced approach to teaching players not just what to do but why to do it, enabling them to adapt on the field.

Their recent conversation focused on broader goals, with Martz relaying their shared ambition to build a team that could emerge as one of the greatest in NFL history. He referenced the 1972 Miami Dolphins as a benchmark for perfection and stressed that reaching such a level requires unwavering dedication to performance and details.

Martz’s own offensive success in the late 1990s and early 2000s countered defensive innovations like the zone blitz, which had stifled many offenses. By deploying multiple receivers and using motion to confuse defenses and disrupt recognition, Martz sought to dictate the pace and style of the game to opponents. He emphasized the importance of versatility and unpredictability in formations to stretch defensive capabilities.

While Martz’s time with the Bears in 2010–2011 did not yield prolonged success, he remains recognized for his offensive intellect. Former Bears center Olin Kreutz praised Martz and Sean Payton as the best offensive minds he encountered, and clarified that the controversial trade of tight end Greg Olsen was driven more by then-head coach Lovie Smith’s frustrations with blocking performance than Martz’s preferences.

Comparing past and present, Martz observed that Johnson commands a more talented offensive roster than the Bears had during Martz’s Bears tenure. Current Bears wide receivers Luther Burden III, Rome Odunze, and Kalif Raymond represent an upgrade over previous groups, while the backfield duo of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai offers a balanced running attack. Martz noted that the previous Bears starting tackles in that era were less effective, underlining the improved personnel available to Johnson.

Now at age 75, Martz is eager to watch the Bears’ upcoming games, confident in Johnson’s ability to innovate. “I’ve been around some great coordinators. Nobody does it better, including me,” Martz said, reflecting both admiration and competitive respect for Johnson’s evolving offense.