Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson threw shade at starter for making mistake

Two Chicago Bears players were recognized on Tuesday for receiving the 2024 Brian Piccolo Award for best exemplifying the former running back’s traits of courage, loyalty, teamwork, and dedication. The award goes to one rookie and one veteran each offseason.

This year, linebacker T.J. Edwards and wide receiver Rome Odunze won the award.

During the award ceremony, new head coach Ben Johnson threw shade at one of them for making a critical mistake in the 2024 season.

Ben Johnson threw shade at T.J. Edwards

Edwards had an infamous bite on the “Stumblebum” play that allowed Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff to hit tight end Sam LaPorta for a touchdown in the Lions’ 34-17 win over the Bears on Dec. 22.

The ole stumblebum #ProBowlVote | @JaredGoff16 pic.twitter.com/zdHiS7M2Hy

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 22, 2024

On Tuesday, Johnson had a brutal remark for Edwards when he told the linebacker that he might not have the Bears’ head coaching job if Edwards had defended properly.

Ben Johnson had a thank you for T.J. Edwards.

“It was in December that if you hadn’t taken the cheese on that stumble bum play I wouldn’t have gotten this job,” Johnson said.

— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) April 22, 2025

Johnson didn’t let that play define what he thought of Edwards, as the linebacker signed a two-year extension worth $20 million with the Bears this offseason.

Chicago Bears coach wrote a poem for Brian Piccolo

Johnson had another big moment during the ceremony. He channeled his inner Ben Jonson, a playwright and poet from the English Renaissance, by reading off a poem he wrote about Piccolo.

“Not just in games, but in each test, a Bear by number, name, and grace,” Johnson said via video from ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. “But more than that, a steady face. He wasn’t picked in any round or fame–no headlines danced around his name. Yet still he fought and still he rose a quiet strength the whole team knows; with courage burning deep and true.

“He gave his all in all he do, not just in winds, but every day. He led with heart in every play. He stood for loyalty and trust. A friend, a guide, both firm and just. He showed that greatness doesn’t shout but lifts others up day in and day out. His life was marked by dedication, a model for each generation, each practice, moment, snap, and stride; he gave his soul and pride.

“When illness came, he met the storm with strength that moved beyond the norm. And though his race was far too brief, he left behind a bold belief that love is real in brotherhood. That fighting back is doing good. That joy and grit can coexist. That every name deserves a list. Today, we see his spirit rise in steadfast hands in his eyes. And though he’s gone, his story grows–a legacy that never slows.”

Ben Johnson wrote this poem titled “More than a number” about Brian Piccolo. pic.twitter.com/SZU4OZUoRc

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) April 22, 2025

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